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+---
+title: What did Jesus teach about the Holy Spirit? Are you acquainted with Jesus’ most powerful message?
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> What functions does the Holy Spirit have? How can our character be changed?
+
+### Jesus’ special appeal: ask for the Holy Spirit
+
+In one particular Bible passage, Jesus emphatically commands us to ask for the Holy Spirit. I know of no other passage where Jesus so lovingly urged us to take something to heart. These verses are found in His lesson on prayer in Luke 11. There He emphasized ten times that we should ask for the Holy Spirit:
+
+“So I say to you, **ask**, and it will be given to you; **seek**, and you will find; **knock**, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who **asks** receives, and he who **seeks** finds, and to him who **knocks** it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who **ask** Him!” (Luk 11:9-13 NKJV)
+
+In these few verses, Jesus used the verb “ask” six times; then He replaced “ask” and emphasized it with “seek” two times—an action verb—and two more times with “knock”—also an action word. Doesn’t He clearly show us that we have to take action in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
+
+The last “ask” is used in the continuous tense in the Greek. That means that we are not to ask only once, but rather to ask continually. Here Jesus makes asking not only a matter of urgency but also something He expects us to do continually. He wants to awaken our desire for the Holy Spirit with this heartfelt invitation. This urgent invitation shows us Jesus’ conviction that we would be missing something crucial if we didn’t continually ask for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He was calling our attention to the fact that we absolutely need the Holy Spirit. In this way, He wants us to continually receive the rich blessings of the Holy Spirit.
+
+Commenting on the latter part of Ephesians 5:18, Johannes Mager says: “A Christian is not filled like a vessel once and for all time, but has to be constantly filled up. Therefore, the sentence [Eph 5:18] can also be rendered in this way. ‘Let yourself be filled constantly and always new with the Spirit.’ The infilling of the Holy Spirit, given to us in baptism, may be lost if the gift of abundance given is not retained. If it has been lost, the Spirit’s presence can be received again. The filling must be renewed so that the Holy Spirit can fill all areas of our life, and so our spiritual life does not wither away.
+
+Spirit filling does not mean that we have more and more of Him quantitatively, but rather that the Spirit has more and more of us. Therefore, Paul commands all believers [in Eph 5:18] to be continually filled with the Spirit. This is the normal state of a Christian—one baptism but many infillings.” <sup>1</sup>
+
+This part of Jesus’ lesson on praying for the Holy Spirit is a unique process. The Holy Spirit is God’s greatest gift—the gift that brings all the other gifts with it. This was Jesus’ crowning gift to His disciples and clear proof of His love.
+
+Such a valuable gift would not be pushed on someone. It is only given to those who express their desire for the gift and appreciate it. I have therefore made it a habit to ask daily for the Holy Spirit in connection with John 7:37: “‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’ ” That means: Dear Lord, give me a longing for the Holy Spirit in my heart.
+
+### First reports of some who have started asking for the Holy Spirit.
+
+**Back to our “first love”**: A sister wrote to me: “My friend and I are currently studying the 40 Days book for the third time, alternating with the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_. Before we discovered this material our faith experience and prayer life wasn’t what it had once been. We longed to find our ‘first love’ again. We have found it! We thank God with our whole hearts. It is so wonderful how our loving God answers prayers and that He reveals how His Spirit is working – in us and on the people we are praying for.” M. S.
+
+**Jesus entered our lives**: Another person wrote about these books: “...they have become a great and long-awaited blessing in my life. Just like many other church members and a sister from our church have experienced, something was always missing in our faith experience. Now we have had the privilege of experiencing how Jesus has entered our lives and has begun to change us. He is still working in us and step by step is drawing us closer to Him.” S. K.
+
+### The Holy Spirit is the Source of a Fulfilled Life
+
+According to Jesus, why did He come to this earth? He said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus wants us to experience this new life now and for it to continue in a completely different dimension after His second coming as eternal life in God’s kingdom.
+
+He also shows us that the Source of a fulfilled life is the Holy Spirit: “‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit.” (John 7:37-39 NKJV)
+
+“Rivers of living water”—isn’t that a good comparison for a fulfilled life?
+
+### During His life here on earth, did Jesus give us a corresponding example?
+
+We know that Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18). We know that after His baptism He prayed and “the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him” (Luk 3:22). Was it necessary and important under these circumstances that He receive the Holy Spirit daily? Ellen White says, “Morning by morning he communicated with his Father in heaven, receiving from him daily a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit.” <sup>2</sup>
+
+Jesus was an example to us in this. We have to ask ourselves: If Jesus daily needed a refreshing from the Holy Spirit, then how much more important is it for you and me?
+
+The apostle Paul understood Jesus’ concern. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul confirms they had been sealed by the Holy Spirit when they became believers (Eph 1:13). In Ephesians 3:16,17 he encourages them to be strong in the Spirit; in 4:30 he says, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit”; and in 5:18, as an authorized apostle, he calls the Ephesians, and us, to “be filled with the Spirit,” or, in other words, “let yourselves be continuously and repeatedly filled again with the Spirit.”<sup>3</sup> We see that it is an essential daily experience for the spiritual life and growth of a Christian to be daily filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+“God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks.” <sup>4</sup>
+
+“The baptism with the Holy Spirit means being completely under the influence of the Holy Spirit—to be completely ‘filled’ by Him. This isn’t a one-time experience, but rather something that has to be continually repeated, as Paul illustrates in Ephesians 5:18 b with the tense of the Greek verb ‘filled’.” <sup>5</sup>
+
+### Jesus’ farewell words and the Holy Spirit
+
+In Jesus’ farewell words to His disciples, He conveyed joy and hope by telling them that the Holy Spirit would come to them in His place. He presented the functions of the Holy Spirit in John 16:7–14 (NKJV):
+
+“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”
+
+### A new advantageous Solution
+
+Jesus told the disciples something surprising: “It is to your advantage that I go away.” This means that the new solution—that He is with us through the Holy Spirit—is more advantageous than Jesus being personally present. In this way, He isn’t limited, but rather He can be by the side of each person, no matter where He currently is.
+
+### Leading from unbelief and doubt to Faith in Jesus
+
+The Holy Spirit has the task of opening the world’s eyes. And isn’t the world in the church to a certain extent? The Holy Spirit is the only One who can open the eyes of Laodicea. He awakens a desire for God in worldly people and a desire for a close relationship with Jesus in lukewarm Christians. He shows us the sin that is the cause of all other sins: “Because they do not believe in Me.”
+
+Do you believe in Jesus? The core of faith is trust in Jesus. The sign that we really believe and trust in Him is that we completely commit ourselves to Him. It is a matter of complete commitment, of our willingness to follow Him in everything.
+
+The Holy Spirit exalts Jesus. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus will become more precious and greater in value to us. A much greater appreciation for Jesus will develop in us.
+
+### Saved and Justified through Faith
+
+The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to Jesus’ righteousness. When Jesus ascended into heaven, His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. Thus, the impossible became possible, namely that God exercised love and at the same time was just. The Holy Spirit wants to open our eyes to this invaluable exchange: Jesus takes on all the guilt from those who have entrusted themselves to Him and gives them His righteousness. This is the central teaching of the Bible: righteousness by faith in Jesus.
+
+### The Holy Spirit shows us God’s alternative
+
+The Holy Spirit also opens our eyes to the fact that the prince of this world is already condemned. Satan has been cast out of heaven, and his ultimate end is imminent. When we are in Christ, then he basically cannot harm us, even though we repeatedly fall into temptation and can become weak here on this earth. First John 5:18 says: “We know that those who are children of God do not keep on sinning. The Son of God keeps them safe. The evil one can’t harm them.” (NIrV) A change of lordship has taken place in our life. Jesus wants to save us from sin and protect us from Satan’s attacks.<sup>6</sup>
+
+On the other hand, the Holy Spirit also wants to open people’s eyes to the fact that the judgment is coming. No one can escape this judgment unless he or she has accepted the gift of salvation by completely surrendering to Jesus Christ and remaining in Him. It is not God’s intention to make people believe in Him through fear by pointing to the judgment. However, the knowledge that a judgment is coming can be a stimulus to repentance for many people. It would be unfair if we failed to show people the options they face in what is coming. The judgment is a decision aid for us.
+
+### The Holy Spirit gives us understanding about truth
+
+The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. He frees us from false perceptions, from errors and allurements. He also leads us into truth about ourselves, so that we can, with God’s help, correct our course wherever necessary.
+
+“The Comforter is called ‘the Spirit of truth.’ His work is to define and maintain the truth. He first dwells in the heart as the Spirit of truth, and thus He becomes the Comforter. There is comfort and peace in the truth, but no real peace or comfort can be found in falsehood.” <sup>7</sup>
+
+### The Holy Spirit opens our understanding of the future
+
+The Holy Spirit also has the task of proclaiming future things to us. Jesus Himself spoke clearly about the future in Matthew 24, and the Holy Spirit has the task of giving us even more light about the future. When we give Him room, then He can also open prophecy for us.
+
+Isn’t it amazing that all seven of the letters in Revelation 2 and 3 close with the same challenge from Jesus: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 2:7) Jesus directs this call to us, the church of the last days, to listen to the Spirit. Are we ready and willing to do that?
+
+### Power through the Holy Spirit
+
+Jesus referred to the work of the Holy Spirit in His farewell speech: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Another important task of the Holy Spirit is to give us power and ability so that we can be witnesses for Him.
+
+“Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.” <sup>8</sup>
+
+Power from the Spirit is also necessary for health. Don Mackintosh, director of health evangelism leadership training at Weimar Institute, says: “What we need is information about health in connection with the power to put it into practice. It has to do with the power to change.” <sup>9</sup> Here it has to do with the power of the gospel, more precisely the power of the Holy Spirit. He brings about change. We can only show others the way when we are traversing the path to better health ourselves. One thing is for sure: God’s rich blessing is waiting for us.
+
+### Putting into practice the elements of a revival
+
+As a church we have already been praying some time for a revival. Praying for a revival is important, but as Mark Finley says, it is important to also “put into practice the biblical elements of revival”. <sup>1</sup>0
+
+A revival in the church depends on a revival of each individual. May I appeal to you to take the steps for your own personal revival? This leads you to a more powerful and fulfilled life, to a real and joyful life of faith.
+
+### Why is a new heart necessary?
+
+Jesus said to the foolish virgins, “I don’t know you” (Matt 25:12). That is why they were not let into the wedding. They represent those who do not come into God’s kingdom. The reason was a lack of oil, which means for us a lack of experience of the Holy Spirit, a deficiency in one’s spiritual life. The term “foolish virgins” describes the character of those people **who have not experienced a sincere change of heart through the working of the Holy Spirit.**
+
+We have a sinful nature. Thus, we are all egoists, and we suffer from this selfish nature. Since no egoists will enter God’s kingdom, a change of character is absolutely necessary. God’s Word shows us that everyone may come to Jesus as he or she is. But we also know that no one will remain as he or she is.
+
+**Notice that the foolish virgins don’t know God because they have not completely committed their lives to Jesus and the working of the Holy Spirit.** “Our salvation doesn’t depend on what we know, but rather on who we know ... (John 17:3). What we know is important, but without a saving personal relationship with Jesus we are tempted and in the end lost. An understanding about God isn’t the same as an intimate, heartfelt familiarity.” <sup>11</sup> This is an important reason why Jesus urgently calls us to ask continually for the Holy Spirit. Do you pray daily in complete surrender and ask by faith for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Never underestimate the power of one individual to help set in motion the movements of God’s Spirit in a mighty way. God may be calling you for just such a time as this. (Please read: Esther 4:14-16)
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, Germany, Advent-Verlag, 1999), S. 101.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, November 21, 1895.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Pub. Werner E. Lange, Unser größtes Bedürfnis (Lüneburg, 2011), S. 42
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2003), p. 145.3
+
+<sup>5</sup> Adult Bible Study Guide, July 17, 2014.
+
+<sup>6</sup> This important topic is dealt with in chapter 4 of Dennis Smith’s book, 40 Days: Prayers and Devotions to Revive Your Experience With God, book 2 (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2011).
+
+<sup>7</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002), p. 671.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Ibid.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Dave Fiedler, D’Sozo: Reversing the Worst Evil (Coldwater, MI: Remnant, 2000), “Foreword.”
+
+<sup>10</sup> Mark Finley, Revive Us Again (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2010), p. 26.
+
+<sup>11</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days, book no. 2, p. 112.
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What is Jesus urgently impressing on your heart concerning the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`2. In what way was Jesus an example for us in asking for the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`3. What diverse functions does the Comforter have, which Jesus promised to His disciples and to us?`
+
+`4. What does the Holy Spirit accomplish in us?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] That we will daily become aware of the need to ask for the Holy Spirit and to receive Him by faith—and claim the promises that the Holy Spirit:
+
+	- [ ] will lead us away from unbelief and weak faith;
+	- [ ] will make it increasingly clear to us what righteousness by faith means;
+	- [ ] will free us from false conceptions, mistakes, and temptations.
+
+- [ ] Pray for unconditional surrender to Jesus and His ministry.
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+title: What did Jesus teach about the Holy Spirit? Are you acquainted with Jesus’ most powerful message?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-how-can-our-character-be-changed/01-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-how-can-our-character-be-changed/01-chapter.md
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+---
+title: How can our character be changed?
+---
+
+### Jesus on the Holy Spirit in the Parable About the Leaven
+
+In the parable about the leaven, Jesus speaks of the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. When you first read the parable, you don’t even think it could have something to do with the Holy Spirit: “And again He said, ‘To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened’.” (Luk 13:20,21)
+
+Leaven, or yeast, is used in baking different kinds of bread. When it is added to flour, it starts a fermentation process that makes the dough softer and lighter. In this way it is made more enjoyable to human taste.
+
+Jesus wants to make certain principles of God’s kingdom clear to us through this illustration. The leaven represents a marvelous process in us, which starts very small but then has an astonishing end, as the parable says: “till it was all leavened.” Jesus wants to grow His selfless love in us in place of our egoism.
+
+In one sense of this parable, Jesus wants to show the influence of the gospel on the world. Even though the gospel started out small, it will permeate the whole world in the end. In another sense, Jesus is showing us how God’s life-changing power works in us through the Holy Spirit. He says in Luke 17:20,21, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (NIV)
+
+For the people of the first century, the kingdom of God was in their midst through the person of Jesus. Today, the kingdom of God begins in our lives when we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord. When we remain in Him and He remains in us, then at Jesus’ second coming the visible kingdom will begin for us. Right now, we want to look at the development of the kingdom of God within us by the in-dwelling of Jesus. He can only live in us through the Holy Spirit. Below are important lessons from the parable.
+
+### The changing power works quietly
+
+The “leaven is used to represent the kingdom of heaven. It illustrates the quickening, assimilating power of the grace of God.” <sup>12</sup> “The change can be made only by the Holy Spirit.” <sup>13</sup> Here it has to do with an inner power that pervades everything and can completely change us. In this way, God wants to positively change our character through the Holy Spirit.
+
+The Bible tells us that the first era of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in biblical times was sometimes accompanied by audible and visible indications. But character change within us happens quietly—provided that we are filled with the Holy Spirit. And then we suddenly discover that a positive change has taken place in us.
+
+The leaven hidden in the flour works invisibly to bring the whole mass under its leavening process; so the leaven of truth works secretly, silently, steadily, to transform the soul. The natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up—the life of Christ. The mind is changed; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. We are endowed with traits of character that enable us to do service for God.” <sup>14</sup>
+
+Why does God change us so quietly, so imperceptibly until we see the result? A quiet time is necessary for change just as nature goes through when it revives from winter. Strong plants such as oaks grow very slowly. Does God tests us in this way to see if we really have a desire for the Holy Spirit? Does He test our faith? I think so. And He wants to give us a fruitful life (see John 15:1–8; Gal 5:22).
+
+### The power that changes our character comes from outside—it is not within us.
+
+First, we have to realize: “Man cannot transform himself by the exercise of his will. He possesses no power by which this change can be effected. The leaven—something wholly from without—must be put into the meal before the desired change can be wrought in it.”<sup>15</sup> Jesus shows us here that we need a power that comes from outside of us for character change. Shouldn’t we consider Jesus’ words about such an important issue? “For without Me you can do nothing!” (John 15:5) “In order that we may have the righteousness of Christ, we need daily to be transformed by the influence of the Spirit, to be a partaker of the divine nature. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to elevate the taste, to sanctify the heart, to ennoble the whole” person.<sup>16</sup>
+
+This important advice from Jesus is completely opposite of what is usually taught today. Whether in humanism or esotericism, human philosophy or some areas of pedagogy, the message is that the power for us to develop is within ourselves. It only has to be awakened by this or that method. “Self-realization” is often talked about. The apostle Paul said about himself, and it applies to us all: “For I know that in me ... nothing good dwells” (Rom 7:18). Under these conditions, what would be the result of self-realization? We can read about it in 2 Timothy 3:1: “There will be terrible times in the last days” (NIV). Egoism will reign. For us it doesn’t have to do with self-realization but rather with Christ-realization. Someone said to me: “I have found my self-realization in Christ.” The main thing is that the Holy Spirit lives in us and changes us positively.
+
+Of ourselves we have no power to change our character. It has to come from outside. That is why Jesus so clearly called our attention in Luke 11:9– 13 to the fact that we should ask for the Holy Spirit—continually. During Jesus’ time here on this earth, He was daily refilled with the Holy Spirit. For us it is even more essential. When I think of what God wants to daily give us through the Holy Spirit, I then think that our wonderful God wants to hug us every morning, just like a married couple hugs every morning.
+
+Ellen White says about this parable: “All the culture and education which the world can give will fail of making a degraded child of sin a child of heaven. The renewing energy must come from God. The change can be made only by the Holy Spirit. All who would be saved, high or low, rich or poor, must submit to the working of this power.” <sup>17</sup>
+
+Winston Churchill, prime minister in Great Britain during World War II, is supposed to have said: We have gained control of everything with one exception: people. People cannot be radically changed by human influence alone. For this to happen, a power from out of this world is necessary. It has to do with the power of God, which can only effectively work in us through the Holy Spirit.
+
+God’s Word tells us that the inward man is being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16). It is very important to daily—first thing in the morning is best— ask in faith for the Holy Spirit.
+
+### The Holy Spirit begins His work in our hearts and then works outwards
+
+The next important lesson Jesus taught in the parable about the leaven is that when we have the leavening effect of the Holy Spirit, we will begin to do things differently from the inside out: “As the leaven, when mingled with the meal, works from within outward, so it is by the renewing of the heart that the grace of God works to transform the life. No mere external change is sufficient to bring us into harmony with God. There are many who try to reform by correcting this or that bad habit, and they hope in this way to become Christians, but they are beginning in the wrong place. Our first work is with the heart.”
+
+And further: “A profession of faith and the possession of truth in the soul are two different things. The mere knowledge of truth is not enough. We may possess this, but the tenor of our thoughts may not be changed. The heart must be converted and sanctified.
+
+The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely—because he is required to do so—will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within.”<sup>18</sup>
+
+As the revival advances in us, what we think and do and say arises from the Holy Spirit’s work. Others will see the difference in how we live. Ralph Luther comments: “Jesus vigorously objected to acknowledging faith that is a mere inner religious attitude, which leaves practical life unchanged at the root.” <sup>19</sup>
+
+In The Desire of Ages we read: “The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ. Only those who are thus taught of God, those who possess the inward working of the Spirit, and in whose life the Christ-life is manifested, are to stand as representative men, to minister in behalf of the church.” <sup>20</sup>
+
+In summary, Jesus taught the following about the Holy Spirit:
+
+- The life-changing power of the Holy Spirit works in us imperceptibly. We often just notice the results.
+- The changing power in our life has to come from outside of ourselves.
+- The changing power starts in our hearts and then works outward.
+
+I strongly recommend that you read the chapter on the parable of the leaven in the book Christ’s Object Lessons.
+
+### Jesus’ last words: Listen to the Holy Spirit
+
+Do you know what the last words are that Jesus spoke from His glory in heaven to the end-time church? “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 3:22) Jesus calls each of us to listen to the Holy Spirit, and that is what we want to do.
+
+### Change me!?
+
+Can Jesus really change me? Let’s take a beautiful painting as an example. Its value doesn’t come from the quality of material used. Only a little paint, sometimes even of low quality, in the hand of an expert can be transformed into a valuable painting. Likewise, we have a sinful nature, “low-quality” material. It is only important that this “material” is being worked on by a great artist. Jesus wants to do this, and He is able to do it. He can form you and me into something that honors Him. Completely commit yourself daily into His hands and ask in faith for the Holy Spirit. You will be amazed at what He can do for you, in you, and through you.
+
+An old man sat on London Bridge and was playing his violin. There were only a few coins in his hat. A man walked past him but then returned and said to the man: “Give me your violin for a moment.” He started to play so beautifully that more and more people stopped to listen. It even caused chaos in the traffic. The man’s name was Niccolò Paganini, the famous violinist.
+
+It is your choice if you want to play first violin in your life or if you want to place your life in the hands of the great Master.
+
+### A personal testimony from a teacher and one of her students
+
+“When the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_ was handed out in my home church about a year ago, I read it through very quickly. Already while reading it I had more experiences with God than ever before. This fascinated and encouraged me. In the booklet’s appendix I found the following suggestion: ‘Pedagogical research has shown that it is necessary to read or listen six to ten times to a vital topic till we can thoroughly understand it.’ These encouraging words captivated my attention: ‘Try it at least once. The result will convince you.’
+
+I wanted to experience that, and already by the third reading it overcame me and I felt a great love for our Redeemer, which I had yearned for my whole life. Within two months I had read it through six times and the result was worth it. It was as if I could understand what it would be like when Jesus comes close to us and we can look into His pure, kind, and loving eyes. From then on, I didn’t want to be without this joy in our Savior.
+
+When I woke up in the morning I already yearned for my morning worship time in order to again experience fellowship with God, and during the day I prayed quietly that the Holy Spirit would help me with my thoughts during conversations and in my example while teaching and communicating.
+
+When a child craved attention and acted accordingly, God gave me strength and wisdom to deal with it. Since then my work days are filled with the presence of the Creator. He helps me literally in my everyday life. Since then I pray in the morning and in between times for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is as if one is closer to heaven and can already taste what it will be like there.
+
+While reading the booklet the thought came to me that my students in the school should also share in this experience. I teach ten to fifteen yearolds in our Elijah Adventist school in Vorarlberg, Austria. So I prayed for God to give me opportunities. Very soon afterwards I had one of my most wonderful experiences with how the Holy Spirit can work in young people’s hearts.”
+
+### A 13-year-old Ruffian and the Holy Spirit
+
+“The experience started a year before I read the booklet on the Holy Spirit. A new student came to our school and within a few days our peaceful oasis was changed into a rough and scuffle room. The boy was thirteen years old then. He was the biggest of all the children and correspondingly strong. Many things that had been learned during the school year and had brought wonderful fruit seemed to disappear in a moment.
+
+Let him share it in his own words: ‘When I came to my present school, I had no idea what awaited me. On my second day of school I let myself get provoked, so I snapped and started a fight with one of my classmates. I hit him even though he was considerably weaker than I was, berated him and never wanted to see him again. Later I realized my mistake and apologized, just as I had always done in the past. After that I had a conversation with the headmaster. In the next months a process started in me. It is astonishing that this had never happened before, as I was a pastor’s son! I started to spend more time with Jesus.’
+
+“I thought this young person would need extra special attention. He was aware of his failure, regretted it, and tried again, but he didn’t have long-lasting success in his own strength. At first, hardly a day would go by without him being in a fight, but gradually it got better. After six months he said he thought it was the prayers that had brought him closer to God. In the meantime, he had started praying for strength in the morning. His fits of rage and fights became less frequent.
+
+Eleven months had gone by since he came to our school, and we could see even more improvements. However, his anger, swearing, outbursts and his fists weren’t permanently under control. It was only natural he tried to win in his own strength and understanding. This worked sometimes and other times not at all. Our prayers had made some achievement but his mindset still wasn’t right, plus the renewing power of the Spirit was missing.
+
+What good does it do when a person sees their mistakes, tries to control their temper, and in the next moment fails again? Just at the time when I realized that I was at my wits’ end, I received the booklet mentioned above. It came at just the right time. Then I realized what we were missing. It was the power of the Holy Spirit. We hadn’t even asked Him to help us!
+
+Since I had been touched by the message of _Steps to Personal Revival_, I got up my courage to ask the boy if he had ever prayed for the Holy Spirit. No, he said, he never had. Then I tried to awaken his interest in the booklet. I didn’t give it to him though. I thought that He should really want it. And very soon he did ask for the booklet.
+
+Again, in his own words: “In November 2012 my teacher gave me the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_. I eagerly started to read it. At that time I wasn’t really acquainted with the work of the Holy Spirit.”
+
+Within the first day he had already devoured almost two chapters and then he asked me how many times I had read it. He immediately started to read the chapters again and wanted to do exactly what the booklet suggested: reading it six to ten times.
+
+Since then a lot has changed. From December 2012 on there weren’t any more fist fights or scuffles—I could hardly believe it. The boys that he had beaten up every day became his friends, and they get along harmoniously. He has completely changed—he is polite and even obliging, and peacefulness has taken over his aggressive nature. His classmates can confirm that God was at work. He is letting God work in him. You can see the fruits every day. To God’s glory I want to mention that the boy decided to get baptized in June 2013. If that wasn’t the Holy Spirit ...
+
+I have always thought that I could manage a child and make them see reason. Patience, attention, and lots of talks would do it, but it just didn’t work long-term with this boy. God had to intervene and taught me that it is His Spirit who makes the impossible possible. Someday when this boy is in heaven, then I will know that God brought it about. When I was at the end of my wisdom and finally understood that I couldn’t guide him, then God started to radically work on him. It encourages me to see that there are no hopeless cases for God.”—C. P.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for the invaluable gift of the Holy Spirit. Please forgive me for neglecting the Holy Spirit. From now on help me to give Him the highest regard. I ask you to lift my daily life to a new level. Please work on me so that I ask daily for the Holy Spirit. Jesus asked daily for the Holy Spirit. Please help me to follow His example.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Season them with salt. Then you will know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>12</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 96.
+
+<sup>13</sup> Ibid., pp. 96, 97.
+
+<sup>14</sup> Ibid., pp. 98, 99.
+
+<sup>15</sup> Ibid., p. 96.
+
+<sup>16</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, bk. 1 (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2007), p. 374.
+
+<sup>17</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 96, 97.
+
+<sup>18</sup> Ibid., p. 97.
+
+<sup>19</sup> Ralph Luther, Neutestamentliches Wörterbuch, S. 71, quoted in O. S. von Bibra, Der Name Jesus (Wuppertal, 1964), S. 98.
+
+<sup>20</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 805.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-how-can-our-character-be-changed/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-how-can-our-character-be-changed/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+**1. What teachings about the ministry of the Holy Spirit can we learn from the parable of the leaven?**
+
+`a) How does our character transformation happen?`
+
+`b) What does Jesus’ statement, “Without Me you can do nothing” mean for our character transformation?`
+
+`c) What do we understand about the way the Holy Spirit works in our character transformation?`
+
+`2. Jesus is the Artist, and we are His painting. What lessons can we learn from this thought?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] That by God’s active grace we will experience constant growth.
+- [ ] That we will continually be aware that the changing power comes from outside of us and not out of ourselves, no matter how strong-willed we may be.
+- [ ] That the Holy Spirit’s power to change us will become increasingly apparent in our lives.
+- [ ] That we will consciously discern the changing power of God in other people.
+- [ ] That we can assist people when God wants to use us as a helping hand.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-how-can-our-character-be-changed/info.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-how-can-our-character-be-changed/info.yml
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+title: How can our character be changed?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/section.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/section.yml
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+title: "Chapter 1: Jesus’ Most Precious Gift"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-do-i-lose-my-own-will/02-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-do-i-lose-my-own-will/02-chapter.md
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+---
+title: Do I lose my own will? Or will I become stronger? What can prevent me from surrendering myself to Jesus? Does surrender to God mean that we have to give up our own will?
+---
+
+We cannot emphasize this encouraging message enough: we are saved by faith (John 3:16; Acts 16:31, and others). The primary trait of biblical faith is trust. Whoever trusts Jesus will entrust themselves to Him. This means that we are saved because we entrust ourselves to God through Jesus Christ. Our trusting surrender is a clear, visible sign of true faith.
+
+Full surrender is the key to salvation, to rebirth, to victory over sin and temptation, and to fullness of the Holy Spirit. <sup>21</sup>
+
+“Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest.” <sup>22</sup> The Holy Spirit is the crowning gift that Jesus gave to His disciples. God could not give more than this. The Holy Spirit is the gift that brings forth all other gifts. “But like every other promise, it is given on conditions. There are many who believe and profess to claim the Lord’s promise; they talk about Christ and about the Holy Spirit, yet they receive no benefit. They do not surrender the soul to be guided and controlled by the divine agencies.” <sup>23</sup>
+
+Receiving this gift is bound with conditions. We often speak about Christ and the Holy Spirit and still we do not receive any blessing. Why? We do not completely surrender to Him, so that we can be led and guided by Him. Many have not surrendered themselves to God—often out of ignorance—but rather have taken their lives into their own hands. This can be the reason for a deficiency in the Holy Spirit. “All may be certain that faithfulness in little things is the evidence of fitness for greater responsibilities. ...
+
+“... [When it isn’t done then] he fails of gaining the grace, the power, the force of character, which is received through unreserved surrender.” <sup>24</sup>
+
+### My journey to surrender
+
+I was a businessman, age thirty-six, when a friend who was a pastor suddenly passed away. This brought the question to my mind: What would happen if God called me to be a pastor? I did not want this at all. For a whole week, I fought a bitter fight. I negotiated with God in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Each time I explained to Him why I did not want to become a minister and what I could do instead. After a week, I had to admit that God apparently did not hear my objections. As I was kneeling at my bedside and didn’t have any further arguments, a quiet thought came to my mind: “God loves you!” And I thought: Yes, I believe this.
+
+After a few minutes, trust in God’s love led me to completely surrender myself to the Lord. After that, I was at great peace. As a matter of fact, the Lord called me one and a half years later to be a pastor. Today I am still extremely grateful to Him. It was His endless love and wisdom that showed me a completely different way than the one I had in mind. In retrospect, I clearly see that this surrender released great blessings in my life. God led me the best way possible in my life.
+
+### Why surrender?
+
+The term surrender is aptly explained in the book Steps to Christ: “God desires to heal us, to set us free. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him. ...
+
+... He sets before us the height of blessing to which He desires to bring us through His grace. He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” <sup>25</sup> Our surrender to God brings an immense blessing. He invites us to surrender ourselves to Him because He wants to heal us and free us. From what? Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” sets us “free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:2) <sup>26</sup> “The law of the Spirit of life is the live-giving power of the Holy Spirit. ... The Spirit brings life and freedom, in contrast with the law of sin, which produces only death and condemnation.” <sup>27</sup>
+
+When Jesus is allowed to guide our lives, then He is able to free us from the tyranny of our self (envy, resentment, quarrelsomeness, greed, addiction, anger, pride, conceit, discouragement, inferiority complexes, and so on). “In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom.” <sup>28</sup> Remember: every human being is his or her own biggest problem. You are your biggest problem. Only God is capable of leading us to real freedom.
+
+But a potter can only work with the clay that is in his hands. That’s why we surrender to God. This is how God wants to free us from the power of sin and give us divine guidance and protection.
+
+“God desires to heal us, to set us free. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him.” <sup>29</sup> “The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart.” <sup>30</sup>
+
+### What does the Bible say about surrender?
+
+Romans 6:13 says, “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness” (NIV). According to this text, surrender means to yield yourself to God and to place yourself at His disposal.
+
+Hanna W. Smith, a Christian author, comments on this text as follows: “To surrender something means as much as to hand over something, to give something into the possession and administration of someone else. To surrender ourselves to the Lord means the same thing. Subsequently, the Lord has the power of control and ownership of us. This means renunciation of ourselves and surrender of our self.” <sup>31</sup>
+
+Romans 12:1 says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (NIV). What reason does this text give for surrendering our lives to God? “The mercies of God.” Surrender is our answer to a God of mercy, a God of love.
+
+Surrender means completely placing ourselves in God’s hands, being at His disposal, giving our lives to Him as a sacrifice, not as an Old Testament sacrifice that was burnt, but as a living sacrifice that lives for Him from the moment of surrender.
+
+When I look back at my life, I can say that before my surrender it seemed to me that surrender was a sacrifice. Afterwards, I realized that it wasn’t a sacrifice, but rather it was an infinite blessing.
+
+Johannes Mager comments: “Surrender, abandonment, commitment, being entirely at God’s disposal—these are serious, but uplifting terms. Surrender has nothing to do with emotions or moods. It means to give ourselves to the One we love.”<sup>32</sup>
+
+Second Corinthians 5:15 says what the result of surrender is: “Christ died for everyone. He died so that those who live should not live for themselves anymore. They should live for Christ. He died for them and was raised again” (NIRV). Surrender means living for Jesus.
+
+To live for Jesus does not merely mean serving Him full time, but rather:
+
+“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17, NIV). Charles T. Studd said, “If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice is too great for me to bring to Him.”<sup>33</sup> This man practiced what he said. He was a top athlete in England. When he became a Christian, he gave up his career, donated his millions to a missionary society, and went to China as a missionary, later to India, and finally to Africa. The missionary society he founded is still active with 1,800 missionaries working worldwide. He surrendered his life to Jesus.
+
+### Jesus gave Himself for us and to us
+
+An essential fact should not be overlooked. Surrender is not a one-sided affair. Jesus gave Himself to us first. He gave us everything that God could give, and He invites us to give everything that we can give. It is a matter of everything for everything. Only there is a world of difference between God’s everything and my everything. Even so, nobody can give more or less than everything.
+
+- Surrender leads to a marvelous relationship with Jesus and the Father. (You will abide in Him—John 14:23; Jesus will manifest Himself to you— John 14:21.)
+- Through surrender we come to a knowledge of truth. (John 7:17—If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know... ESV)
+- Through surrender we gain great power in prayer. (1 John 3:22—Whatever we ask for, we will receive.)
+- Surrender is the way to perfect joy. (John 15:11—Your joy may be full.)
+- Surrender is the key to an abundant life. (John 10:10; Eph 3:19.)
+- Surrender is the foundation so that God can work through my life. (John 7:38—rivers of living water; John 14:12—greater works; John 15:4, 5—much fruit.)
+- Satan is denied access to those who are surrendered to God. (1 John 5:18—the wicked one does not touch him, except under God’s specific permission, as in the case of Job. All things work together for good and are never more than what we are able to bear.)
+
+### Five levels of surrender
+
+One author speaks about five levels of surrender: ▶ Giving money is the lowest level of surrender. ▶ Next is the surrender of time.
+
+- Then comes the surrender of our power and skills, our service.
+- After that, the surrender of all our fears and hopes, which includes everything mentioned before.
+- The surrender of our whole being, which means completely surrendering our will and life to Jesus. <sup>34</sup> This last point describes real surrender.
+
+It’s wonderful when we surrender ourselves to our heavenly Father, because we trust in His love and do not let things go so far as the prodigal son did in Jesus’ parable. He capitulated when he hit rock bottom in his life, and only then did he decide to go back home. As he came close to his parents’ house, his father came to meet him and wrapped his arms around him. He fully accepted him as his son. Only then did the son clearly comprehend his father’s love. This turned his capitulation into a surrender of love.
+
+### A tragic incident
+
+The following incident occurred in France and helps illustrate this: The wife of a rich Frenchman confided a secret to someone. She was carrying a small bottle of poison in her hand. She was planning to take her life because of difficulties in her marriage. She said, “Just yesterday I complained to my husband, but he answered in surprise and bewilderment: ‘What more do you want? You have my checkbook [meaning that she had his money at her disposal], you own my house, you eat at my table. Everything that prosperity and rank can offer you belongs to you, and yet you complain?’ I told him,” the woman continued, “‘I want your heart, I want you to love me.’ And he exclaimed: ‘You can’t have that. You know that my heart belongs to another woman. Everything I own is yours, but my heart, my love, it is impossible for you to demand that from me.’” <sup>35</sup>
+
+No one who loves someone would be happy with such an answer. The woman didn’t care how much her husband owned. What did matter to her was him as a person.
+
+“Our great Lord does not want something from me. He wants me. Jesus doesn’t want part of my time or part of my assets, nor of my talents or abilities.” <sup>36</sup> He wants me, because He loves me and wants to make me happy.
+
+We ought to surrender ourselves; we ought to hand over our self with everything we have and everything we are. We ought to surrender ourselves to the care, leadership, direction, and will of God. This is our reasonable service that Romans 12:1 calls us to.
+
+When the Word of God says about complete surrender, “[This] is your reasonable service,” then it can only mean that surrender to God is the most reasonable thing we can do. What is more reasonable than to put our case into the hands of a skillful physician when we are sick? What is more reasonable than to entrust ourselves to an experienced guide when we are lost?
+
+Complete surrender is not a loss, but rather a huge asset. Compared with God, I am poor, foolish, and helpless. Wouldn’t it be sensible to place myself in God’s hands? I should trust the One who created me, who wanted me to be, who loves me and can care for all my needs. Through our surrender, God’s infinite love and power are on our side. This is entering a life led by God.
+
+Our complete surrender is the beginning of a more abundant life (John 10:10) that Jesus wants to give us. And this surrender also brings victory over evil, as Revelation 12:11 affirms: “And they overcame him [1] by the blood of the Lamb and [2] by the word of their testimony, and [3] they did not love their lives to death.” This shows that complete surrender is necessary to overcome sin and Satan, and that this is the best thing we can do.
+
+In Christ’s Object Lessons, we read the following: “Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you cannot overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.” <sup>37</sup> “To Jesus, who emptied Himself for the salvation of lost humanity, the Holy Spirit was given without measure. So it will be given to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered for His indwelling.” <sup>38</sup>
+
+We see here that:
+
+- The Holy Spirit lived in Jesus without measure.
+- He desires for us to live in complete surrender so that the Holy Spirit can live in us to the same extent.
+- For this reason, Jesus gave the command: “Be filled with the Spirit.” In the original Greek text, this means: “Let yourself be continually and repeatedly filled with the Holy Spirit” (see Eph 5:18).
+- His object is that we will have life more abundantly (see John 10:10; Col 2:10).
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>21</sup> Garrie F. Williams, How to Be Filled With the Holy Spirit and Know It, German version (Lüneburg, 2007), p. 78.
+
+<sup>22</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 331.
+
+<sup>23</sup> Ibid., p. 672.
+
+<sup>24</sup> Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002), pp. 218, 219.
+
+<sup>25</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1999), pp. 43, 44.
+
+<sup>26</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 466.
+
+<sup>27</sup> Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol.6, p. 560 to Rom. 8,2
+
+<sup>28</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 466.
+
+<sup>29</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 43.
+
+<sup>30</sup> Ellen G. White, My Life Today (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1999), p. 6.
+
+<sup>31</sup> Hanna W. Smith, Christsein täglich (To Be a Christian Daily) (Asslar, 1994), p. 38.
+
+<sup>32</sup> Johannes Mager, Unser größtes Bedürfnis (Our Greatest Need) (Lüneburg, 2011), S. 47, 48.
+
+<sup>33</sup> Norman B. Grubb, Charles Studd, Kein Opfer zu groß (No Sacrifice Is Too Great), “Introduction.”
+
+<sup>34</sup> Dean M. Kelley, “How Adventism Can Stop Growing,” Ministry, February 1983, p. 4.
+
+<sup>35</sup> Oswald Smith, The Man God Uses (New York: The Christian Alliance Publishing Company, 1925), p. 26.
+
+<sup>36</sup> Johannes Mager, Unser größtes Bedürfnis (Our Greatest Need) (Lüneburg, Werner E. Lange, 2011), S. 48.
+
+<sup>37</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 331.
+
+<sup>38</sup> Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1999), p. 20.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-do-i-lose-my-own-will/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-do-i-lose-my-own-will/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What is the divine condition to receive the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`2. What does complete surrender mean, and what effect does it have?`
+
+`3. Full surrender is a key? Which blessings can I only receive through it?`
+
+`4. What are the five levels of surrender? Only one level is really surrender. Which is it? Think about your surrender.`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] For a better understanding of what it means to be saved by faith.
+- [ ] In thanks to God for the blessings of surrender that you have already experienced.
+- [ ] That the Holy Spirit will lead you on your life’s path and in all your life’s decisions.
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+title: Do I lose my own will? Or will I become stronger? What can prevent me from surrendering myself to Jesus? Does surrender to God mean that we have to give up our own will?
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-what-can-prevent-us-from-surrendering/02-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-what-can-prevent-us-from-surrendering/02-chapter.md
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+---
+title: What Can Prevent Us From Surrendering? Does surrender to God mean that we have to give up our own will?
+---
+
+For me, the barrier to surrendering was concern about my job. To be precise, I was worried that after my surrender, God would call me to be a pastor.
+
+Edwin Orr encountered different obstacles. This was clear to him in his youth. He said:
+
+I had to surrender completely to the Lord. ... For the first time in my life I realized that God was talking to me. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. I told the Lord I was completely willing to surrender everything to Him. The voice in my heart asked: “What about your favorite sins?” ... I confessed them and promised never to repeat them. The voice inside me continued: “What about your will?” This came as a complete surprise to me. ... So I told the Lord: I’m ready to go wherever you want me to go or to remain at home. ... Then the Spirit of God spoke to me about an idol I cherished in my life. It was a girl that I loved very much. The Lord asked me whether I would be willing to give up this girl if He asked me to. Suddenly I realized that my will put up a barricade at this point. I did not want to make such a sacrifice. ... At this point the Holy Spirit stopped talking to me. All at once, my heart became alarmingly void. I soon realized this, and then I again felt a longing to be filled with the Spirit. This time I surrendered myself completely to the Lord. I was ready to surrender even this part of my life to Him. ... My heart was filled with indescribable love, joy, and power. ... For the first time in my life I felt that I really knew my God and Savior and that Christianity was more than a doctrine or philosophy. <sup>39</sup>
+
+God achieved great things through Edwin Orr’s life.
+
+In my case, the obstacle was my job, while with Edwin Orr, it was a girl. Whatever the case may be for you, if you have not yet completely surrendered yourself to the Lord, put yourself and your problem into His hands. The Lord will greatly bless you.
+
+### The Lord respects our decisions
+
+If you were all knowing, you would choose the same path that God wants to lead you on. We can cast off every fear and reservation when we completely surrender to the God of infinite love.
+
+God will never act against the free will of a human being. Our wonderful God respects our personality. Freedom is one of the most precious gifts God has given us. That’s why God waits for our consent and acts only when we ask Him to. Freedom is a divine prerequisite. Love can only develop under freedom.
+
+### Does surrender to God mean that we have to give up our own will?
+
+Do we not completely lose our will when we surrender to God. Do we become puppets and God is pulling the strings? NO!
+
+Why not? Because by giving ourselves completely to God we substitute our foolish, misguided, ignorant, and immature will for the perfect, magnificent, and wise will of God. We are placing ourselves under divine navigation.
+
+We should not give up our will, but rather the wrong use of it. The will that should be given up is the one that differs from the will of God. It is the exercising of our stubbornness.
+
+Ellen White wrote, “But one says, ‘Can I not have my own way, and act myself?’—No, you cannot have your way, and enter the kingdom of heaven. No ‘my way’ will be there. No human ways will find place in the kingdom of heaven. Our ways must be lost in God’s ways.” <sup>40</sup> (See also Isa 53:6.)
+
+Whoever refuses to be guided by God and His Word is living on the basis of his own limited mind instead of depending on “divine navigation.” “When our will is in harmony with God’s will, it remains untouched; as a matter of fact it would be wrong to relinquish it.” <sup>41</sup>
+
+“As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command, may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.” <sup>42</sup> “When we let the Holy Spirit guide us, then we are not cramped or limited. Instead, we are living in maximum freedom. In 2 Corinthian 3:17 we read: ‘... and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.’” <sup>43</sup>
+
+### Other blessings of our surrender
+
+He who will give himself fully to God will be guided by the divine hand. He may be lowly and apparently ungifted; yet if with a loving, trusting heart he obeys every intimation of God’s will, his powers will be purified, ennobled, energized, and his capabilities will be increased. As he treasures the lessons of divine wisdom, a sacred commission will be entrusted to him; he will be enabled to make his life an honor to God and a blessing to the world. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 NIV)
+
+There are today many as ignorant of the Holy Spirit’s work upon the heart as were those believers in Ephesus; yet no truth is more clearly taught in the word of God.” <sup>44</sup>
+
+### Life under divine navigation
+
+Doesn’t Proverbs 3:5,6 contradict this? It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV)
+
+Many think this means that they have to turn off their minds or, put another way, to turn off their powers of reasoning. Nothing could be more wrong. God wants us to use our reason. He invites us to connect our reason with His infinite reason.
+
+Didn’t God give Daniel and his friends, who were obedient with their whole hearts in small things as well as great things, tenfold greater intelligence? God wants us to maximize the whole potential of our minds and at the same time connect with His infinite mind.
+
+It’s like driving a car with a navigation device. I have to use my whole reason to drive, but it is well-advised for me to trust the GPS about turns, speed limits, notification of traffic jams or detours, the best way to reach my destination, or how much time until I reach my destination. I remember well when I borrowed in order to test it a navigation device when I needed to attend a funeral in an unfamiliar part of Munich. The GPS did its job, and I was able to reach my destination without any problems.
+
+Rely on God, on His instructions, on His standards, His counsels, and go your way under divine navigation.
+
+### Doubt about the instruments
+
+During World War II, a British aircraft took off from Sicily and headed for North Africa. Since all the airports had blackouts, the pilots had to rely completely on their instruments. Although they hadn’t flown the calculated time yet, the instruments were showing that they had reached their destination. They thought this was impossible, so the pilots kept on flying.
+
+Not until they were far out over the Sahara did they realize their mistake. They ran out of fuel and had to make an emergency landing in the desert. Since they did not have enough water on board, the whole crew ended up dying of thirst. Later, when the aircraft was discovered, rescuers found that all the instruments were functioning properly. The aircraft had been in a fast airstream and thus reached its destination more quickly than usual. However, the pilots trusted their own calculations more than their instruments, which was fatal for them. They made their own decision, and it was the wrong decision. <sup>45</sup> We can rely on God’s leadership. It is better to rely on God’s Word than on our own assumptions.
+
+### People with backbone
+
+Through our surrender to Jesus Christ, we do not become weak-willed; rather we will be people with a backbone, who defend their standpoint with wisdom and politeness.
+
+Think again about Daniel and his friends. As young people, they proved they had backbone and were loyal to God during the test of their diet in Daniel 1. Or think about their phenomenal decision in front of the fiery furnace, as mentioned in chapter 3, when they were middle aged. And think about Daniel’s attitude as an older man when he was in front of the lions’ den, as mentioned in chapter 6.
+
+### Self-esteem or esteem through Christ
+
+Anyone who surrenders themselves to Christ doesn’t have to worry about their self-esteem, because they have much greater esteem through Christ.
+
+In The Ministry of Healing we read: “Many who are qualified to do excellent work accomplish little because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no great object for which to live, no high standard to reach. One reason for this is the low estimate which they place upon themselves. Christ paid an infinite price for us, and according to the price paid He desires us to value ourselves.” <sup>46</sup> A sister shared with me after she had begun to live in the Holy Spirit: “I have found my self-esteem in Christ.”
+
+### Counseling because of problems in surrender
+
+A young man sought a counseling session with a minister, because he wanted to be filled with the Holy Spirit and was struggling with it. The minister asked him, “Have you completely surrendered your will to God?”
+
+“Not completely, I’m afraid.”
+
+“Well,” answered the minister, “it is useless to pray for the Holy Spirit before you have completely surrendered your will to God. Don’t you want to surrender it to the Lord right now?”
+
+“I can’t,” the young man replied.
+
+“Are you willing for God to do it for you?”
+
+“Yes,” was his answer.
+
+“Then ask the Lord now.”
+
+The young man prayed: “O Lord, empty me of my self-will. Bring me to
+
+a complete surrender to Your will. Lay my will down for me. I ask in Jesus’ name.”
+
+Then the minister asked him: “Did it happen?”
+
+“It must have,” he replied. “I asked God for something according to His will, and I know that my prayer was heard and that I have received what I asked for (1 John 5:14,15). Yes, it happened. My will lies here.” <sup>47</sup> He then prayed for the Holy Spirit and received Him. It is wonderful that our loving Father is even willing to create and deliver the prerequisites in us when we ask Him to.
+
+We can learn two things from this man’s prayer. First, the young man was already acquainted with praying with promises. In his prayer, he relied on the promises of the Lord that prayers prayed according to God’s will are answered at the very moment they are spoken. Second, the young man decided to accept the help of God in surrendering himself.
+
+### Steering our life with decisions
+
+We should know that the ability to make free will decisions is the guiding authority in our lives. I want to give you an example in order to better explain the full meaning of this ability.
+
+The hull of the passenger liner the Queen Elizabeth weighs 1,300 times more than her rudder. This means that the rudder is able to steer a bulk that is 1,300 times bigger than itself. The rudder in our life is our ability to make decisions. If we decide to submit ourselves to the will of God, then He places all necessary assistance at our disposal.
+
+### Challenges
+
+In the matter of surrendering ourselves to Christ, the decision we face is to live for ourselves or to live for God. Every person, but especially the young person, has to ask themselves if their ego should control their lives or if they want to serve God. Material goods and sensual pleasures can provide an illusion of happiness, but these things bring no real satisfaction—we always want more. The more he has, the more he wants, his complaints never stop, says a well-known German proverb.
+
+Finally, we realize that these things have taken possession of us.
+
+A further challenge we have to take into consideration is the fact that other people with a certain amount of authority over our lives, for example our family, school, church, company or society, expect things from us that contradict God’s expectations. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, then we will have the power and courage to give God’s expectations the highest priority and be able to defend our standpoint with wisdom and politeness (Please read Daniel 1: Vers 8 Daniels decision; the Lord’s multiple help in V. 9, 14, 15, 17, 20)
+
+### Is it sufficient to surrender my life one time to God?
+
+We begin with a fundamental surrender to Jesus Christ at our conversion. This surrender, which takes place in prayer and after appropriate biblical instruction and conviction, is sealed with baptism and is valid for all eternity. God’s Word calls this basic surrender to Jesus our covenant with God. Daily surrender is something quite different. Since it is often also called
+
+dedication, conversion, or consecration, this expression may cause some confusion. In order to make things clear, I will call it consecration. The daily consecration (or surrender or conversion) means that today I want to live out the basic covenant I have made with God; I want to stand for the covenant today. That’s why it is invaluable to pray daily: “Lord, I surrender myself to You today with everything that I am and everything that I have.”
+
+The Bible compares our covenant with Christ to a marriage. If I remain in this covenant, then I don’t need to worry about anything at all. God is able to safeguard everything that is entrusted to Him. He always keeps His word. He will not file for divorce.
+
+Morris Venden comments, “Obviously, getting married doesn’t mean much if you don’t plan to stay married. And you can’t stay married if you’ve never gotten married in the first place.” <sup>48</sup>
+
+In order to retain the positive consequences of our fundamental surrender, it is necessary to abide in Jesus. That is why Jesus talks about “abiding” nine times in John 15, including, for example, verses 5 and 15. “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (KJV)
+
+Abundant life comes from abiding in Jesus. Through fellowship with Him, we are able to lead a fruitful life—a life of joy, power, and victory. God is able to do great things in our lives. When we are seized by this truth, it will revolutionize our lives.
+
+**Lit up the flame**: Coming from an Adventist background, I have always been immersed in religion. At the age of 13, I decided to be baptized. However, my spiritual life remained monotonous, boring. No flame shone in me. God gave me the opportunity to travel to the United States for a year. I only went there to learn English and have fun. But one evening, the Holy Spirit called me and said, “Mael, are you sure, you are in the right place?“. Back from the USA, I wanted to go to Sweden. But all the doors were closed. I was at rock bottom, not knowing what to do in my life when one day a close friend handed me Helmut Haubeil’s book “Abide in Jesus”. During the first evening of reading I couldn’t stop. The famous voice was back. Evening after evening as I read, the flame finally lit up. The more I read, the more I understood the mistake I was making the lack of Holy Spirit! After reading the book several times I didn’t understand how the change would happen. God knew the answer and without realizing it, my speech, my opinions and my attitude were transformed. All this was only the work of the Holy Spirit reflected in me. And suddenly the doors at a professional level opened in France. For me it was God’s work but there always remained in me the disappointment of not going to Sweden. The flame was still there but it didn’t shine completely. Helmut Haubeil came to Dammarie, Paris. I went there on Friday evening, Saturday morning and afternoon...but still no answer. How to rekindle the flame?
+
+On Sunday morning the answer arrived. This was the last day. My problem was not being in total submission to God’s will. I understood that the calling of the Holy Spirit was constantly being made, but after receiving it, it was also necessary to submit to His will and abandon the self. Without this total submission, God could not act through us as Matthew 6:33 says. I have understood since then that this submission is essential in our relationship with God. Only then can the flame shine. Maël (L. R.)
+
+Let us pray:
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “Father, we thank You so much that You want us to surrender to You so that we may be blessed. Enable us to simplify our lives and live in a way that will let You make us new creations. Please help me to daily surrender my life to You without any restrictions and to follow You in all things by Your strength. Amen.”
+
+**Happiness through the Holy Spirit**
+
+“The Lord Jesus acts through the Holy Spirit; for it is his representative. Through it he infuses spiritual life into the soul...Never will the human heart know happiness until it is submitted to be molded by the Spirit of God.” Ellen White, RH August 25, 1896, par. 6
+
+### Youth and the Holy Spirit
+
+**Youth Department from a Conference**
+
+The result was absolutely incredible. I am the Youth Secretary of the South Queensland Conference [12,200 members]. A young woman gave me _Steps to Personal Revival_. The content blew me away. I could share a lot of experiences. We were very blessed by this booklet. We forwarded 300 books to the youth leaders at the youth leaders meeting of our conference. The result was absolutely incredible. A.v.R. shortened, #138
+
+**14-year-old Overcomes Addiction**
+
+My 14-year-old son has begun to pray for the Holy Spirit and he has become a different boy. He has overcome his addictions. He now lives a victorious life. We are so grateful to God as he used this little book _Steps to Personal Revival_ in my son’s life.
+
+Pastor A., #77
+
+**Difficulties Solved Baptism**
+
+Her youngest son had many difficulties with the church. So she prayed especially for him during the 40-days prayer time with a prayer partner. The result was that her son changed his life and started preparing for baptism. I.G., #16
+
+**18-year-old’s Life Changed**
+
+One of our conference presidents gave his 18-year-old son a booklet. This changed his life. Therefore, the father distributed more than 200 copies to the classmates of his son in High School.
+
+C.H., #133
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Arise, shine, for your light has come. Is. 60:1
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>39</sup> J. Edwin Orr, Volle Hingabe (Full Surrender) (Kassel, 1965), S. 108ff., shortened.
+
+<sup>40</sup> Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, February 23, 1892.
+
+<sup>41</sup> H. W. Smith, Christsein täglich (Being a Christian Daily), S. 73.
+
+<sup>42</sup> Ellen G. White, Christian Service (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1999), p. 258.
+
+<sup>43</sup> David Wolkwitz, Der Weg zu einer kraftvollen Erweckung, (NRW-Vereinigung), S. 25.
+
+<sup>44</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002), pp. 283, 284.
+
+<sup>45</sup> Aller Diener (Bern, Euro-Africa Division, 1983) II/III, S. 142.
+
+<sup>46</sup> Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2003), p. 498.
+
+<sup>47</sup> R. A. Torrey, Der Heilige Geist—Sein Wesen und Wirken (Frankfurt: 1966), S. 151; (The Holy Spirit— His Nature and Ministry).
+
+<sup>48</sup> Morris Venden, 95 Theses on Righteousness by Faith (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2003), p. 133.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-what-can-prevent-us-from-surrendering/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-what-can-prevent-us-from-surrendering/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. Which challenge is behind the divine invitation to surrender my life?`
+
+`2. What can hinder someone from surrender? What could it be for you?`
+
+`3. Which advantages does a life under divine navigation have?`
+
+`4. What is crucial to keeping my relationship with Christ intact and intimate?`
+
+`5. What is a vital controlling factor in our life?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] That God will show us the things that are possibly hindering our complete surrender.
+- [ ] That God will give wisdom and strength to properly use our will and give it the correct priority in our life.
+- [ ] That God will give us more insight and that our own will won’t be in the way.
+- [ ] That God gives us victory over temptations and sin.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-what-can-prevent-us-from-surrendering/info.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/02-what-can-prevent-us-from-surrendering/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: What Can Prevent Us From Surrendering? Does surrender to God mean that we have to give up our own will?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/section.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/section.yml
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+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/02-surrender-to-jesus/section.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 2: Surrender To Jesus"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/03-jesus-abiding-in-you/03a-what-effects-does-christ-in-me-have-on-my-life/03-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/03-jesus-abiding-in-you/03a-what-effects-does-christ-in-me-have-on-my-life/03-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+---
+title: 'What effects does “Christ in me” have on my life? The ultimate achievement: being imbued with the fullness of God.'
+---
+
+### Remain in Christ
+
+“Religion means the abiding of Christ in the heart.” <sup>49</sup>
+
+“It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal.” <sup>50</sup>
+
+Note the following:
+
+- Through the Holy Spirit, Christ lives in us.
+- We receive the Holy Spirit by faith.
+- This is the beginning of eternal life.
+
+The knowledge that Jesus wants to live in me through the Holy Spirit, and actually does when I am filled with the Holy Spirit, is very valuable to me. This is a wonderful biblical truth.
+
+Jesus not only wants to have intimate fellowship with us by living in us through the Holy Spirit, but He also desires consistency and a deepening of our relationship with God. He says, “Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4). This is a wonderful invitation and, at the same time, a command. This means that a consistent Christian life is possible through God’s power.
+
+Jesus emphasizes the term abide eleven times in John 15:1–17. He wants us to have a lasting relationship with Him. He connects splendid and incredible promises with this idea. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (verse 7). “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (verse 11).
+
+Ellen White clarifies Jesus’ appeal to “abide in Me, and I in you”: “**Abiding in Christ means** [first] **a constant receiving of His Spirit,** [and second] **a life of unreserved surrender to His service.**” <sup>51</sup> Elsewhere she says, “A connection with the divine agency every moment is essential to our progress. We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit.” <sup>52</sup> And “He [Jesus] will live through them, giving them the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to the soul a vital transfusion of Himself.” <sup>53</sup> We may see David’s prayer as a promise for ourselves: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Ps 51:10)
+
+### Drawing upon God’s power source
+
+Many people do not know how to draw upon God’s power. They live in spiritual poverty, although “his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3, KJV).
+
+A famous oil field in Texas is called Yates Pool. During the American economic crisis, a man named Yates had a sheep ranch. He was not able to earn enough money with sheep farming to pay his debts. Then men from an oil company came and informed him that they thought they might find an oil deposit on his property. The company proposed doing a trial drilling, and so Yates signed a contract.
+
+At about 1,200 feet deep, the drill found a huge oil deposit. And it all belonged to Mr. Yates! On the day he had purchased the land, he had also received the right to any oil or any other natural resources on it. He didn’t realize that he was a multimillionaire living in poverty. What was the problem? He didn’t know about the existence of the oil. <sup>54</sup>
+
+Do you know what is written in 2 Peter 1:3,4? “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (KJV). Let me tell you the rest of the verse in my own words: through an intimate relationship with Jesus, and while in this relationship, praying with the “exceeding great and precious promises” (KJV).
+
+At the moment we, by faith in Christ, become the children of God, we also become God’s heirs, and all His resources are at our disposal. Everything we need in order to be men and women of God and fruitful witnesses for Christ—including wisdom, love, and strength—is at our disposal. However, many Christians live in spiritual poverty, because they do not know how to make use of the spiritual riches which God has already bestowed on them! Like Mr. Yates before oil was discovered on his property, they live in ignorance of their unlimited possessions.
+
+And what does that mean? “Without this connection, no man can be saved. Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation. Our eternal safety depends upon our building upon the sure foundation. Multitudes are today building upon foundations that have not been tested. When the rain falls, and the tempest rages, and the floods come, their house will fall, because it is not founded upon the eternal Rock, the chief cornerstone Christ Jesus.” <sup>55</sup>
+
+### Pray for the Holy Spirit
+
+There is a unique passage in the Bible in which our Lord Jesus urges us ten times to pray for the Holy Spirit. I know of no other passage in which Jesus calls our attention to something with such tender urgency, except for His invitation to abide in Him. This passage is a lesson on prayer. The passage on praying for the Holy Spirit is in Luke 11:9–13. We not only want to repeat this important statement but also pay particular attention to the following in this chapter: “And you are complete in Him.” (Col 2:10)
+
+Ellen White said: “To Jesus ... the Holy Spirit was given [daily] without measure. So it will be given to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered for His indwelling [and daily asks the Lord for the Holy Spirit]. Our Lord Himself has given the command, ‘Be filled with the Spirit’ (Eph 5:18), and this command is also a promise of its fulfillment. It was the good pleasure of the Father that in Christ should ‘all the fullness dwell’ and ‘in Him ye are made full’ (Colossians 1:19, R.V.; 2:10, R.V.).” <sup>56</sup>
+
+Here we learn:
+
+- The Holy Spirit lived in Jesus without measure.
+- He desires for us to live in complete surrender so that the Holy Spirit can live in us to the same extent.
+- For this reason, Jesus Himself gave the command: “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18).
+- His object is that we will have life more abundantly here (John 10:10; Col 2:10) and eternal life (John 3:16).
+- Thus, it is necessary to be in Him. Jesus in us has great and valuable consequences.
+
+### Praying by faith
+
+We pray by faith “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal 3:14). “Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6). “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph 3:17).
+
+It is necessary to know that after my prayer for the Holy Spirit, I have really received Him. Our wonderful God has shown us how we can easily have faith in Him. It is by praying with promises. (See the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_, chapter 5, “The Key to Practical Experience,” where the topic is treated more extensively.)
+
+Ellen White even says, “The Spirit awaits our demand and reception.” <sup>57</sup> David Wolkwitz adds:
+
+Can you imagine “demanding” something from God? In this case, the special gift of the Holy Spirit. Such a thought makes us shudder with fear. It sounds disrespectful and even blasphemous to even think such a thing. And yet, this term is used by the Lord’s messenger in various passages of her writings. What does she mean? First, we should recognize that God is only too happy to give us this gift, because He loves us and we need it so badly. Secondly, it means that this gift is extremely important for us. Since we are told that this gift is waiting for our demand, then it clearly shows us that when we long for the continual presence of Jesus in our lives so that He can lead and guide us, and knowing we are fully surrendered to God, we may then in trust and confidence make our demand. We need to think carefully about this. <sup>58</sup>
+
+Demanding something implies strong interest in something you absolutely need or want to have; it implies seriousness on the part of the person asking. We should lay aside our inhibitions to “demand” something. “He [God] is well pleased when they make the very highest demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name.” <sup>59</sup>
+
+Surrendering ourselves with our whole heart to Jesus every day, by faith we obtain the great gift of God—the Holy Spirit.
+
+### Apostle Paul’s wonderful intercessory prayer
+
+For this topic, we want to look at Ephesians 3:14–21, where we find a wonderful intercessory prayer from Paul for the church in Ephesus. The outline is as follows:
+
+1. He asks for the inward power of the Holy Spirit for them
+2. that thereby Christ may dwell in their hearts
+3. that you experience the full extent of his love and that this divine love may being rooted and grounded in them
+4. that they might be filled with the fullness of God.
+5. We see here distinctly God’s way with us: Through being filled with the Holy Spirit lives Christ in us and we experience a positive change of our charakter—the fruit of the Spirit growth.
+
+“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, **to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith**; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, **that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God**.” (Eph 3:14–19, KJV)
+
+### How can I obtain inner strength?
+
+The foundation of our religious life is shown in Ephesians 3:16: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” (KJV)
+
+We need strength every day. A life full of strength brings us joy. Our wonderful Lord wants us to have abundant strength in our lives. This strength for the inner person is provided by the Holy Spirit. The booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_, page 60, shows why it is necessary to consecrate ourselves daily to Jesus and to pray daily for the Holy Spirit. And by praying with promises we can be sure to receive the Holy Spirit as soon as we ask. Again, I recommend reading this booklet—it’s so important.
+
+### Christ in us
+
+What comes next, according to verse 17? “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (KJV).
+
+Are we sufficiently aware of this marvelous truth? When we live with the Holy Spirit, then it is a fact that Jesus lives in our hearts. We can neither feel nor measure this. We have to believe it. If you believe this, then speak to Him now and again, and tell Him: “Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You dwell in my heart.” Or, “Lord, I am so glad You live in me.”
+
+Andrew Murray says: “In this way Jesus takes you into fellowship with Him with the objective that His life becomes part of your life.” <sup>60</sup>
+
+Ellen White adds: “The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul.”<sup>61</sup> And “in the plan of restoring in men the divine image, it was provided that the Holy Spirit should move upon human minds, and be as the presence of Christ, a molding agency upon human character.” <sup>62</sup> And also: “A healthy Christian is one who has Christ formed within, the hope of glory [Col 1:27].” <sup>63</sup>
+
+The text says that Christ dwells in our hearts **by faith**. Trust is the foundation of faith. It is a matter of entrusting our whole life to Jesus—our first basic surrender of our lives and then, consequently, the daily surrender to Jesus Christ.
+
+### What connection do faith and feelings have?
+
+God’s Word says: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, **to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man**, that Christ may dwell in your hearts **through faith**; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” (Eph 3:16,17) We are being filled by the Holy Spirit for the indwelling of Jesus Christ in our hearts, and this should take place through faith.
+
+Jesus said, “**He who believes in Me**, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38) It is necessary that we always carefully pay attention to this. Why? The core of faith is trust. I trust what Jesus has said. He said of His Father, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Ellen White said, “Faith plants itself on the promises of God, and claims them as surety that he will do just as he said he would.” <sup>64</sup>
+
+Trusting God means relying on His Word. I trust God’s Word.
+
+How is it when I act according to my feelings? Then I am trusting in something in myself. Roger J. Morneau, whom God saved from Satan’s church, opens our eyes: “The [demonic] spirits would encourage people to listen to their feelings instead of the word of Christ and His prophets. In no surer way could the spirits obtain control of people’s lives without the individuals realizing what was happening.” <sup>65</sup> We are not searching for an emotional or mystic experience.
+
+Faith means trusting in God and His Word, upholding the Bible as binding for our lives and not merely an ingredient or garnish. Many argue that we cannot obey God’s Word in our own strength. That is true for carnal Christians. But whoever lives with the Holy Spirit has Jesus in their hearts and is equipped to obey God’s Word. Romans 8:4 says: “That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (More on this subject in Chapter 4: Obedience through Jesus)
+
+Trusting God and experiencing how His promises are fulfilled in our lives will strengthen our faith in Him and gives us deep roots in His love. Ultimately this love of God satisfies the deepest needs of our hearts. It is like a small child in his father’s arms experiencing comfort and safety. The child’s feelings can change since he is still immature. But when the child’s feelings change, this doesn’t automatically change the father’s love. As we mature in God’s love, we realize that our superficial feelings cannot give us any certainty about our relationship with God. Our feelings are unreliable because they are unstable. Our assurance comes from our trust in God and His constant Word.
+
+We don’t need to desperately search for feelings. When Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit, then the fruit of the Spirit will increasingly develop in us. These are gifts of deeper emotions from the Holy Spirit. Joy has a clear part there. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh 8:10) In a life of faith, joy will not come up short, but rather will be strong in us through our life with God.
+
+In the future, it will be crucial for us to differentiate between discipleship by trusting God and discipleship by feelings. The great tempter will show us wonderful things, even about Jesus, but behind this revelation is enticement through feelings and mysticism. It will go so far that people will seem to have wonderful “faith experiences” and come to completely rely on their feelings instead of God’s Word. They may even think that they don’t need God’s Word, since they see themselves as spirit-led through their emotional experiences.
+
+Jesus’ words speak clearly against this in Matthew 7:21–23: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven [according to His Word]. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” We can only say: Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey. (See Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, chap. 21, “Looking Unto Jesus.”)
+
+### Why is continual and complete surrender to God so important?
+
+In Romans 12:1, God requests the following through the apostle Paul:
+
+“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (NIV) And in Proverbs 23:26 is the invitation: “My son, give me your heart.”
+
+The meaning of surrender is explained in more detail in chapter 2 “Surrender to Jesus”. It is also explained well in the book “Steps to Christ” in chapter 5 “Consecration”.
+
+Our surrender to God’s love brings a great blessing. If Jesus is allowed to guide our lives, then He can free us from the tyranny of our ego (all the envy, anger, contentiousness, and so on). Ellen White says, “The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ.” <sup>66</sup> “We shall not gain the victory through numbers, but through the full surrender of the soul to Jesus.” <sup>67</sup>
+
+### Understanding a revealed secret
+
+Let’s proceed to Ephesians 3:18, the first part: “[That you] may be able to comprehend with all the saints.” What should we comprehend? Just what the previous verse explained: the secret that Christ lives in us (through the Holy Spirit) and thereby our lives are being changed, because we are rooted and established in the love of God. This means Jesus Christ develops His character in us.
+
+A brother writes: “The truth about ‘being in Christ’ and ‘Jesus in us’ is so simple and yet so difficult to comprehend that most Christians have not fully understood it.” <sup>68</sup>
+
+Paul says in Colossians 1:25,26: “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—**the mystery that has been kept hidden** for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.” (NIV) **What secret?** Verse 27 says: “To whom [the saints] God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; **which is Christ in you**, the hope of glory.” (KJV)
+
+The mystery hid for ages and now revealed is that Jesus Himself wants to live in us through the Holy Spirit. The text says that this is our hope of glory. This means that the fullness of life that God wants for our present life, and at the same time bestows us with eternal life, is thus guaranteed.
+
+Ellen White expands on this secret, called “Christ in you,” the hope for glory (Colossians 1:27), as follows: “**A knowledge of this mystery furnishes a key to every other. It opens to the soul the treasures of the universe, the possibilities of infinite development**.”<sup>69</sup> The Bible often uses expressions such as “Christ in you” and similar terms such as “in Christ,” “in Him,” “in the Lord,” and “in the beloved.” These expressions are used 170 times in the New Testament. For example, this expression is the key word in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians. Think about his testimony: “Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal 2:20, KJV). In Romans 15:18, he writes: “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me.”
+
+Other well-known texts include: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” (2 Cor 2:14, KJV) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” (2 Cor 5:17, KJV) The focus here is laid on the change of character by the fruit of the Spirit: “Created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” (Eph 2:10, KJV) “The dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thess 4:16) “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5, KJV) “God ... sending His own Son ... that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Rom 8:3,4). If we look in a concordance, we find many such valuable texts under the key words “in Christ,” “in the beloved,” “in the Lord,” “in Him” (Christ).
+
+### Either “in Christ” or “outside Christ”
+
+E. Stanley Jones has said, “Paul...focuses on the phrase ‘in Christ’ and uses it 97 times in his letters...With great care He realized that these two words divide humankind into two groups, ‘in Christ’ and ‘outside Christ’ ...Who ‘is in Christ’ is ‘in life‚’ and who is ‘outside Christ’ is ‘in death.’”<sup>70</sup>
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 NKJV<callout>
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>49</sup> Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, May 24, 1892, par. 4.
+
+<sup>50</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 388.
+
+<sup>51</sup> Ibid., 676.
+
+<sup>52</sup> Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2012), October 24 p. 306.
+
+<sup>53</sup> Ibid., October 23; p. 305.
+
+<sup>54</sup> Dr. William R. Bright, Erfüllt mit dem Heiligen Geist—Wie erfährt man das? (Neuhausen, 1971), S. 27.
+
+<sup>55</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 599, 600.
+
+<sup>56</sup> Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 21.
+
+<sup>57</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 121.
+
+<sup>58</sup> David Wolkwitz, Der Weg zu einer kraftvollen Erweckung (The Way to a Powerful Revival) (NRW, Abt. Heimatmission), S. 205.
+
+<sup>59</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 668.
+
+<sup>60</sup> Andrew Murray, Bleibe in Jesus (Remain in Jesus) (Leun, 2012), S. 149.
+
+<sup>61</sup> Francis D. Nichol, ed., Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6 (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2001), p. 1112.
+
+<sup>62</sup> Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, February 8; p. 47.
+
+<sup>63</sup> Ibid., February 4; p. 43.
+
+<sup>64</sup> Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times, May 22, 1884, par. 3.
+
+<sup>65</sup> Roger J. Morneau, A Trip Into the Supernatural, (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1999), p. 43.
+
+<sup>66</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 805.
+
+<sup>67</sup> Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2003), p. 279.
+
+<sup>68</sup> Dennis Smith, Spirit Baptism and Abiding in Christ (2010), p. 12.
+
+<sup>69</sup> Ellen G. White, Education (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002), p. 172.
+
+<sup>70</sup> E. Stanley Jones, In Christ (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1961), p. 9; re-translated from German.
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. According to Ellen White, what is true religion?`
+
+`2. What is just as important as letting Jesus into our hearts?`
+
+`3. What role does our faith or trust in God play in relation to our receiving the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`4. Why is it so important that our relationship with Jesus is based on our trust in Him and His Word and not on our feelings?`
+
+`5. When Christ abides in us through the Holy Spirit, then His character develops in us, which is the fruit of the Spirit. What implications does this have for your life?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] For the understanding and possession of true religion—that Jesus lives by faith in our hearts.
+- [ ] For steadfastness in surrendering our hearts to Jesus.
+- [ ] For a deeper experience of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
+- [ ] For the right prioritization of our feelings and how to deal with them.
+- [ ] For joy which continually grows and is more visible—the joy that Christ brings.
\ No newline at end of file
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+title: 'What effects does “Christ in me” have on my life? The ultimate achievement: being imbued with the fullness of God.'
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/03-jesus-abiding-in-you/03b-the-effects-of-christ-in-you/03-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/03-jesus-abiding-in-you/03b-the-effects-of-christ-in-you/03-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+---
+title: The Effects of “Christ in You”
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> How do we get deliverance from the power of sin? Will we become “carnal” again by sinning?
+
+### Ellen White on “Christ in you”
+
+“When God’s people are one in the unity of the Spirit, all of Phariseeism, all of self-righteousness, which was the sin of the Jewish nation, will be expelled from all hearts. ... God will make known the mystery which hath been hidden for ages. He will make known what are the ‘riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (Col 1:27).” <sup>71</sup>
+
+### Joseph, Daniel and his companions
+
+“You should be prepared to follow the example of these noble youth. Never be ashamed of your colors; put them on, unfurl them to the gaze of men and angels. Do not be controlled by false modesty, by false prudence which suggests to you a course of action contrary to this advice. By your choice words and a consistent course of action, by your propriety, your earnest piety, make a telling confession of your faith, determined that Christ shall occupy the throne in the soul temple; and lay your talents without reserve at His feet to be employed in His service.” <sup>72</sup>
+
+### Family life
+
+Christ in Each Heart Will Bring Unity—“If the will of God is fulfilled, the husband and wife will respect each other and cultivate love and confidence. Anything that would mar the peace and unity of the family should be firmly repressed, and kindness and love should be cherished. He who manifests the spirit of tenderness, forbearance, and love will find that the same spirit will be reflected upon him. Where the Spirit of God reigns, there will be no talk of unsuitability in the marriage relation. If Christ indeed is formed within, the hope of glory, there will be union and love in the home. Christ abiding in the heart of the wife will be at agreement with Christ abiding in the heart of the husband. They will be striving together for the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him.” <sup>73</sup>
+
+“You want your homes to be like Abraham’s. He commanded his household after him. He taught them to obey the commands of God. These are the lessons, mothers, that you are to patiently teach your children. You cannot afford to spend time in studying the fashions of the day. Teach them that they are Christ’s property. We are making characters today. Young men, young women, you are determining your lot in the future today. Let Christ come in. He will preserve you from temptation.” <sup>74</sup>
+
+### Overcoming
+
+“‘If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ (2 Corinthians 5:17) Through the power of Christ, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have become transformed into the image of God. This change is in itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures, it is ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ [Col 1:27].” <sup>75</sup>
+
+### Jesus’ letters
+
+“In every one of His children, Jesus sends a letter to the world. If you are Christ’s follower, He sends in you a letter to the family, the village, the street, where you live. Jesus, dwelling in you, desires to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with Him. Perhaps they do not read the Bible, or do not hear the voice that speaks to them in its pages; they do not see the love of God through His works. But if you are a true representative of Jesus, it may be that through you they will be led to understand something of His goodness and be won to love and serve Him.” <sup>76</sup>
+
+### The personal side of God’s love
+
+Through this intimate connection, which Christ wants to enter into with us through the Holy Spirit, He shows us in a special way the personal side of God’s great love. It is incomprehensible that Christ lives in me. But His Word assures us of this, which makes it true.
+
+A father was on an overseas trip with his son and wanted to explain God’s love. The father said, “Look out over the bow of the ship, and now the stern—this is the length of God’s love. And now look to the left and to the right—this is the width of God’s love. Now look up into the sky—this is the height of God’s love. Now look over the water. The ocean is deep under us. That is the depth of God’s love.” The youngster reflected a moment on this explanation and then exclaimed with a shining face: “Dad, do you know what the best part of it is? We are in the middle of it.”
+
+Everyone who daily consecrates his or her life to Christ and is filled by the Holy Spirit is in the middle of God’s love. There is no better place we could live. I pray every morning that our wonderful Father will keep me in this place.
+
+### The ultimate achievement: life in abundance
+
+In Ephesians 3:19, Paul wants us to understand Jesus’ love for us, and that through this love we are filled with the fullness of God. This verse says: “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (KJV)
+
+Can we see what depends on Christ living in us? It is the only way to the fullness of God. In John 10:10, Christ says that He came so that we may have life more abundantly. Colossians 2:9,10 says, “For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him.” (KJV) Do you have the fullness of God? God wants to give it to you. Take the necessary steps!
+
+### Answers beyond our requests
+
+We may pray that the Lord answers our prayers according to His promise in Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (KJV). We may ask, claiming this promise, that our wonderful Lord not only answers our prayers as we have petitioned, but rather beyond our request, beyond our comprehension, abundantly blesses according to the riches of His glory and power. In addition, we may pray according to Jeremiah 33:3 that God answers our prayer and reveals great and mighty things to us: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (NIV)
+
+### What effects does Jesus’ life have in me?
+
+“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God— and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Cor 1:30) Christ is made unto us wisdom. We can act wisely with Christ in us. “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.” (Proverbs 8:11) “Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.” (Ecclesiastes 2:13) Without being in Christ, we can be very intelligent. But we can be very foolish at the same time. Let us remember Adam and Eve. They were highly intelligent and acted very foolish as they acted self-determined instead of trusting God. My being ‘in Christ’ determines whether I am intelligent **and** wise. “Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city.” (NIV)
+
+Christ is made unto us righteousness. This means that the righteousness lost at the fall of humankind can be regained through Him. A valuable text is Romans 8:3,4: “God ... sending His own Son ... condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Please note that the text says that righteousness is fulfilled through Jesus in those who walk in the Spirit. This is how Christ lives in us.
+
+Dennis Smith writes: “Righteousness by faith has a justifying and sanctifying aspect. Righteousness means that God frees the believer from sin and the penalty and clothes the repentant sinner with Christ’s righteousness (complete obedience).” <sup>77</sup>
+
+Thus the most marvelous trade takes place: Christ takes my guilt and gives me His righteousness. Through this trade we stand before the Father as if we had never sinned. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps 103:12) By God’s grace we can walk through life free of guilt.
+
+Christ is made unto us sanctification. What does sanctification mean? “True sanctification means perfect love, perfect obedience, perfect conformity to the will of God.” <sup>78</sup> The importance of the indwelling of Christ for a live of joyful obedience will be discussed in more detail in chapter 4 “Obedience through Jesus.” Christ is made unto us salvation, that is, forgiveness of all guilt, freedom from the bondage of sin, eternal life in God’s glory. Jesus paid the ransom with His sacrifice.
+
+During the time of slave trafficking in Africa, the prisoners had an iron collar locked around their necks and were then linked to the other prisoners with a chain. Occasionally one of these poor people was ransomed along the way. As soon as the ransom was paid, the prisoner was freed from his iron collar. Jesus has ransomed us—He has paid for us.
+
+Jesus’ mind-set will develop step by step in us. We can claim Philippians 2:5 when we pray: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” When we allow Christ in, then He will let His manner of thinking and acting unfold in us. We then love what He loves. We keep away from the things He doesn’t want.
+
+Jesus accomplishes good works through me
+
+God’s Word says in Ephesians 2:10: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” God has prepared good works for you and me—if we are “in Christ”—so that we can accomplish them. By fulfilling this task our Lord has planned an ingenious way. By working for Him and others in this work, three things come into play:
+
+1. A constant healing of my egoism because I work for others
+2. Others receive blessings through me.
+3. The Lord sends great blessings back to me.<sup>79</sup>
+
+We will grow through it in faith; our practical, mental, and spiritual abilities will develop, our joy and strength will increase, and in the process, we are working for God’s kingdom. This task will prepare us for God’s kingdom.
+
+There is another great question involved: Do I work for God in my human strength or can our Lord work through me with His divine abilities? <sup>80</sup>
+
+### He enables me to be His witness
+
+Since Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luk 19:10), He will naturally lead people to salvation through me. “Jesus, dwelling in you, desires to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with Him.” <sup>81</sup> “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” (Acts 1:8, KJV). We will come back to this topic in chapter 5 “Attractive Faith through Jesus”.
+
+God urges us to be “praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). When Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit, then we can pray in the Holy Spirit as well as in the name of Jesus. Jesus assures us: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13, KJV) We are clearly told: “We must not only pray in Christ’s name, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.” <sup>82</sup>
+
+What does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus? “To pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. **It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.**” <sup>83</sup> Thus, praying in the name of Christ has four aspects:
+
+1. Praying in the spirit of Jesus means being filled with the Holy Spirit.
+2. Believing in His promises, claiming promises while we pray.
+3. Relying on His grace, with faith, in the wonderful mutual-trust relationship with God.
+4. Working His works, for example through His Spirit being obedient in all things.
+
+When we remain in Christ, then all these prerequisites are fulfilled by His grace. Thus, praying in the name of Jesus means praying in His power. He promised to answer our prayers. This shows that Jesus has immense confidence in those who abide in Him. We may take advantage of all the promises through Christ in us. <sup>84</sup> “For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen.” (2 Cor 1:20) “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue [this means an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ]: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Pet 1:3,4, KJV) Note God’s wonderful way: He has already given us what we need to live and for a godly way of life. We receive these gifts through an intimate relationship with Christ. These things are bestowed on us in this relationship through claiming promises in prayer, that is, through prayers of faith so that we will partake of the divine nature.
+
+### Deliverance from the power of sin
+
+“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life [that is the live-giving power of the Holy Spirit] in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:1,2)
+
+Why is there no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? First, because Christ has taken my guilt of sin upon Himself. Second, when He is in us, the bondage of sin over us is broken; we are freed from the law of sin. This means that we no longer have to sin, but we still can sin. Galatians 5:16 says something important about deliverance from the power of sin: “Walk in the Spirit [meaning: live constantly with the Holy Spirit], and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
+
+The next verses in Galatians 5, verses 17 and 18, explain that this has to do with life with the Holy Spirit. Verses 19–21 list the works of the flesh, which we no longer have to do when we live with the Holy Spirit. Christ in us protects us from sin and the work of fallen angels, as 1 John 5:18 affirms: “We know that those who are children of God do not keep on sinning. The Son of God keeps them safe. The evil one can’t harm them.” (NIRV) Christ fills our hearts with the Holy Spirit so that evil has no room. However, at this point, we must also keep in mind that “the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16).
+
+### Christ in us encourages us not to sin
+
+In 1 John 3:6–9, we read the following solemn words regarding sin: “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” (ESV)
+
+Experts in ancient Greek tell us that these pointed words about sinning refer to habitual sinning. According to the original Greek text, it says, “he doesn’t sin continuously, i.e., habitually (but occasionally he can fall into sin). As God’s children we do what is right and we keep God’s commandments.” <sup>85</sup> This means that with Christ in us and with us, we are able to give up our sinful habits. Our life with “Christ in us” helps us have victory over besetting sins.
+
+### Will we become “carnal” again by sinning?
+
+Let’s bear in mind that through this wonderful change we don’t achieve a sinless state. We can fall into sin through weakness, rashness, or foolishness. If such a situation occurs, then we need to “breathe spiritually”. This means confessing our sin, accepting forgiveness, and again asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. As long as we “breathe spiritually”, we will remain spiritual Christians and not become carnal again. Sin does not cut off our spiritual relationship to God; however, it is a disturbance that we have to confront.
+
+We will become carnal again if we allow unbelief to take root and we quit “breathing spiritually”. Our sinful nature remains with us until the second coming of Christ. No apostle ever claimed to be sinless. However, “Christ in us” makes a decisive change in our relation to sin.
+
+### The practical result
+
+The apostle John writes: “These things write I to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1) God desires us to lead a sinless life in Christ, but if we do sin, then we may ask our Advocate for forgiveness and receive it. Ellen White says, “Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power.” <sup>86</sup>
+
+Through Christ living in us through the Holy Spirit, the power of sin over us is broken and it will decidedly reduce the frequency with which we sin.
+
+### Good health
+
+Christ in us will cause us to care for our health: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2, KJV) “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1 Thes 5:23,24, KJV)
+
+In a lecture given by the geneticist Dr. Sang Lee, he emphasized that through a trusting relationship with Christ our genes work well and produce a health hormone.
+
+The connection between faith and health is the message that the world urgently needs. This message can only be carried by Jesus’ disciples, who daily consecrate themselves with all they are and have, who daily ask for and receive the Holy Spirit, and who personally live according to the health reform advice.
+
+Studies done on 35,000 people in a period of over thirty years under the supervision of Professor Grossarth-Maticek showed that the strongest factor in good health is a loving, spontaneous relationship with God. When this relationship exists, then other health factors, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and well-being, are many times stronger. <sup>87</sup> This clearly shows the meaning of the following Bible verse: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (1 Tim 4:8) In book 3 of his 40 Days series, 40 Days: God’s Health Principles for His Last-Day People, Dennis Smith shows quite a different approach to health than what we are commonly acquainted with. He shares how the power of the Holy Spirit motivates and works to change lifestyles. Hence, emotional health has great importance.
+
+Smith relates: “These 40-day devotions will show us how we can collaborate with God in order to obtain complete physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal, which he wants us to experience.” <sup>88</sup>
+
+A businessman wrote: “I accepted the health message through daily being filled with the Holy Spirit. Before this, not a single health seminar ever had an effect on me. I loved meat and wasn’t too particular about what kind I ate; I also drank coffee and black tea. I didn’t think this was a problem. Occasionally I also drank a beer. Since 2009 I have been praying daily to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He convinced me to abstain from the consumption of meat, coffee, black tea, and beer. I became a vegetarian. I have come to realize that a life with the Holy Spirit is the foundation for victory in all things, including temperance and lifestyle.” <sup>89</sup>
+
+A sister wrote under the heading “Complete surrender changed my life” (we are sharing only the health aspects here): “I daily invite the Holy Spirit to live and work in my heart. ... I don’t eat constantly anymore. That was impossible for me in my own power. I can meet the daily demands much more peacefully and the stress doesn’t make my stomach turn to knots. God also gave me the strength to stop drinking coffee. Previously, this would have been unthinkable, because when I quit drinking coffee I had horrible headaches for five days. These are severe withdrawal symptoms. This time I didn’t even think about what the consequences would be for me. I only knew that I didn’t want to do it anymore. Today, I have no more desire for it. I had a similar experience with meat. My family and I never wanted to abstain from eating meat. Today it is easy for me—I have no more desire for it.” <sup>90</sup> One of our leading health experts wrote: “The real need of our time is not simply health education—we have excellent information. What is needed, is health information in connection with the power to put it into practice. It’s all about the power to change.” <sup>91</sup>
+
+The gospel gives us the power to change, because of Christ in us through the Holy Spirit.
+
+### The great change in the life of Hudson Taylor
+
+When Hudson Taylor was in charge of the China-Inland Mission, he received a letter from his missionary colleague McCarthy. God used this letter to open his eyes to the wonderful truth of our abiding in Christ and His abiding in us. It revealed the truth about the secret of the union between the believer and Christ. From this day on, Taylor’s path with God was a path of peace, rest, and victory. His missionary colleagues noticed this amazing change. They commented on how Taylor was taking a new path as a new man in a new world to share his testimony of what the Lord had done for him.
+
+Taylor wrote a letter to his sister in England. He tried to explain this wonderful truth he had discovered and the wonderful experience he had with his God. He wrote: “My work has never been as extensive, as full of responsibility and as difficult as now, but now the pressure and strain have completely disappeared. The past month was probably the happiest month in my life. I’m longing to tell you a little of what the Lord has done for me. I don’t know if I am capable of making it clear, because there isn’t really anything new or strange or marvelous and yet everything is new! In a nutshell: ‘Where I was blind I can now see!’ When my burden was biggest, God used a sentence in a letter from McCarthy to make the scales fall from my eyes. The Spirit of God revealed to me the truth about our oneness with Jesus as I had never known before.”
+
+Taylor went on in his letter to describe how the Lord had opened his understanding for the words of Christ—that He is the Vine and the believers are the branches. He wrote: “Oh the joy of seeing this truth!” Then he continued: “The sweetest part—if one may speak of one part being sweeter than another, is the rest which full identification [consensus and surrender] with Christ brings. I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize this; for He, I know, is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. It is more necessary that He considers this than me. For in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult His grace is sufficient.”
+
+Dennis Smith says the following about Taylor’s experience: “Hudson Taylor found the secret of victory on his path with God. He discovered how he could have great peace in every situation in his service for Christ. God offers the same victory and the same peace to all of His children. Are you longing for such victory and peace? It is my prayer that everybody ... finds precisely this victory and peace in Christ—a joy that seemed unattainable before.” <sup>92</sup>
+
+I join in this appeal and wish everyone in whom Christ is dwelling through the Holy Spirit an overflowing and fruitful life for Christ, which is characterized by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 15:5, KJV)
+
+Jesus says about Himself: “The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:10, KJV) Jesus has a great desire that you and I can say, Jesus Christ, who lives in me, accomplishes His works. “Christ in the heart, Christ in the life, this is our safety.” <sup>93</sup>
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I marvel at the fact that you want to enter my life. When I give my life to you, you fill me with the Holy Spirit. I want to praise you and thank you that through God’s grace you have become wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption for me (1 Cor. 1:30). Please give me joyful and visible growth through fellowship with You through the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
+
+**God is waiting for us to long for the Holy Spirit**
+
+“The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches of the grace.” DA 672.1 #13
+
+### Couples and the Holy Spirit
+
+**Greater Closeness as a Married Couple**
+
+My husband and I were so blessed when we read _Steps to Personal Revival_. We are reading it together for the 3rd time! It puts our life experiences into words and shows solutions for complicated life situations. Reading and praying together has led us to such closeness and unity as we have never experienced before! It’s so wonderful to be a team! Working, praying, educating and serving others is such a pleasure! Where can we buy a box of these books? A.C. reduced, #119
+
+**Wonderful Experiences**
+
+The book 40 Days gave us wonderful experiences. First of all came personal revival. Through studying together and the exchange of thoughts in the morning, we grew closer together spiritually as a couple. After praying together we experienced God’s leading hand daily even in mundane situations. It is indescribable how much strength we received to get through each day. C.a.K.R. (abbreviated), #3
+
+**I Fought in my Married Life**
+
+I praise God for having opened my eyes spiritually since reading _Steps to Personal Revival_. I am not the same Christian anymore. As an Adventist, I thought I was an experienced Christian, but deep inside I realized something was missing. I fought in my married life for a good relationship with my husband, who is also a church member. Now we pray together and encourage each other to visit the church. #120
+
+**This Book Also Helps Couples**
+
+I went to the Adventist bookstore. There I was offered the book, steps to Personal Revival. I did not want to have it. The saleswoman pushed me and said, “This book also helps couples. My niece broke up with her husband. This book brought them together again. Now they are praying together and going to church together.” So I bought the book and have experience it as a precious treasure. #120 a
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>71</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 386.
+
+<sup>72</sup> Ellen G. White, Messages to Young People (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2003), p. 28.
+
+<sup>73</sup> Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2002), p. 120.
+
+<sup>74</sup> Ellen G. White, Temperance (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2004), pp. 290, 291.
+
+<sup>75</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 476.
+
+<sup>76</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 115.
+
+<sup>77</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days: Prayers and Devotions to Revive Your Experience With God, book 2, p. 18.
+
+<sup>78</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 565.
+
+<sup>79</sup> Book 3 in miniserie _Steps to Personal Revival_ entitled “Spirit-Filled Co-Workers of Jesus—How Can I Become That?” (2019).
+
+<sup>80</sup> For more particulars, see: www.steps-to-personal-revival.info under “Development.”
+
+<sup>81</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 115.
+
+<sup>82</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 147.
+
+<sup>83</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 100, 101.
+
+<sup>84</sup> Claiming promises in prayer is dealt with in more detail in _Steps to Personal Revival_ by H. Haubeil, Chapter 5: The Key to Practical Experience
+
+<sup>85</sup> Werner E. Lange, Hrgb., Unser größtes Bedürfnis (Lüneburg: 2011), S. 31.
+
+<sup>86</sup> Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, January 5; p. 13.
+
+<sup>87</sup> According Medical Wellness mit Newstart—Plus, by Drs. Heide (Leipzig:, 2014), pp. 333, 334.
+
+<sup>88</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days: God’s Health Principles for His Last-Day People, book 3 (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2012), Day 1.
+
+<sup>89</sup> E-mails from a businessman on March 3 and March 21, 2013, shortened and adapted.
+
+<sup>90</sup> The complete testimony can be read in German at www.missionsbrief.de – Archiv – Missionsbrief Nr. 42, S. 17, Völlige HIngabe veränderte mein Leben.
+
+<sup>91</sup> Don Macintosh, Director Newstart Global, Weimar, USA, in D’Sozo, (Remnant USA), Foreword.
+
+<sup>92</sup> Dennis Smith, Spirit Baptism and Abiding in Christ, p. 10, 11. Recommended further reading: Dennis Smith, 40 Days: Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming, book 1 (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2009), especially Day 4: “Christ in You,” p. 18, as well as the fourth part of the book, Spirit Baptism and Abiding in Christ, pp. 81–102.
+
+<sup>93</sup> Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 511.
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@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What are the various results of being one with Christ?`
+
+`2. What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ Spirit?`
+
+`3. What does Christ achieve in us in regard to sin?`
+
+`4. Do we reach a state of sinlessness through Christ?`
+
+`5. What is the connection between faith and health?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] That “Christ in us” will have clearly visible consequences in our daily life.
+- [ ] For the understanding and ability to pray in Jesus’ Spirit.
+- [ ] For the liberating experience of overcoming sinful habits.
+- [ ] That He will safeguard us from spiritual pride and not being sober.
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+title: The Effects of “Christ in You”
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+title: "Chapter 3: Jesus Abiding In You"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/04-obedience-through-jesus/04-how-can-i-live-in-joyful-obedience/04-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/04-obedience-through-jesus/04-how-can-i-live-in-joyful-obedience/04-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,236 @@
+---
+title: How can I live in joyful obedience?
+---
+
+><callout>Why is it a joy? Why is obedience for my own good? How does obedience through ‘Jesus in me” work? Is obedience by faith a collaboration between God and man? What does God? What does man?
+
+### The Bible and a railway timetable
+
+During a conference in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, theology students asked the aged China missionary Hudson Taylor, “How can you believe every word in the Bible?”
+
+His answer was, “When you want to travel home tomorrow, you will open the railway timetable and check the departure times. And if you find that a train leaves at 7:00 a.m., then you won’t ask any further questions, but go to the railway station the following day and find your train ready for departure. Just as you use the railway timetable, I have done the same with the Bible and its commandments and promises for the past 50 years. I have experienced its instructions to always be true in my long life and amongst hundreds of deadly perils. For example, when the Bible says: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt 6:33) I followed these directives and have never been disappointed in any critical situations. If you do the same, then you will have similar experiences.” <sup>94</sup>
+
+Reflecting on obedience through Christ will give us great joy. We want to do that now. This obedience has a special name: obedience of faith.
+
+### To what end does God call ministers?
+
+In Romans 1:5, I found a directive of great importance for me as a minister of the gospel: “Through whom [Jesus Christ] we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.” (ESV)
+
+This means that God calls people to His ministry in order to lead others to obedience of faith. This requires that I understand this matter well, and that with God’s help I am a good example. When I do this, then I am acting in His name, which means in the authority of Jesus Christ.
+
+### How does obedience of faith come about?
+
+The closing words of the epistle to the Romans adds another thought: how God wants to achieve this obedience of faith. “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the **obedience of faith**: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” (Rom 16:25–27, KJV)
+
+**These verses explain that a mystery was revealed for a definite purpose—to raise obedience of faith**, although they don’t explain what the mystery is. We find the explanation in Colossians 1:27: “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
+
+**The mystery is: Christ in us**. And what is the result when obedience of faith is achieved in Christ? “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor 5:17) We have a new life with Christ in us. Another verse describes this new life as follows: “That you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19)
+
+### How do we perceive a life in obedience of faith?
+
+Our attitude changes toward His commandments. “His commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3, KJV) “For My yoke is easy,” Jesus said (Matt 11:30). “I will delight myself in Your commandments” (Ps 119:47), because they are “better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver” (verse 72), “sweeter than honey to my mouth” (verse 103), and “I rejoice at Your word” (verse 162). It gives me “great peace” (verse 165). Obedience of faith is a pleasant thing.
+
+### We need a firm foundation for our life
+
+The German poet Matthias Claudius writes: “Man needs a firm anchor, something that does not depend on him, but rather something he can depend on.” <sup>95</sup> Nowadays many people suffer under emotional distress, since they have no firm foundation due to a lack of faith. Through an intimate relationship with Him, God wants to give us a firm foundation based on His Word.
+
+This Christian poet shows us that we need a firm foundation and reliable standards in our lives. Where can we find a firm foundation? God laid this foundation a long time ago. His name is Jesus Christ. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:11, KJV) Jesus is the only One who can provide a firm foundation for our life.
+
+### Where can we find the best standards for our life?
+
+Who is even qualified to set standards? Who can determine what is right? The Bible offers a clear answer in Psalm 99:4: “You have determined what is right.” (German Luther-Version) And Psalm 111:7,8 adds: “The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.” (cf. Ps 148:6)
+
+God, the Creator, has determined what is right. Nobody except God is entitled to set standards or rules. The Creator alone, the great Owner of all things, has this right. Nobody else has a clear overview; God alone is omniscient and all-wise.
+
+The character of the One who sets the standards is of great importance. The Bible shows us that God is love; He is the Source of love and truth, joy and justice. Because of His wonderful character, His infinite ability and omniscience, God was able to optimally lay rules for angels, inhabitants of other worlds, humankind, and animals. The loving Creator created the most favorable conditions for life.
+
+He not only did this with the laws of nature, in, for example, the constants on this earth—the distance from the sun and moon, the orientation of the earth’s axis, and so on—but also laid out laws for the happiness of humanity in ethics and morals (cf. Jer 7:23). Our loving heavenly Father established wonderful regulations for us.
+
+We want to keep this thought in mind while we discuss a strange phenomenon in the end times—the great confusion concerning obedience to God’s laws.
+
+### Confusion regarding obedience to God’s principles
+
+Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:3,4, “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (KJV).
+
+Satan blinds and disguises. A blinded mind can imply two things: first, that certain things aren’t even seen, so that certain things are disguised or hidden. Second, it can mean a mind that is “charmed”, that sees wrong points of view as right. We don’t realize how cleverly these ideas are foisted on us. This disguising and blinding prevents the right view.
+
+The text says that this happens to non-believers. But we make the shocking discovery that the same thing happens to carnal Christians. They profess Jesus but have not completely surrendered themselves to Him. That’s why the “god of this world” can blind them.
+
+I am convinced that Satan attempts this blinding with spiritual Christians as well. Jesus says in Matthew 24:24: “If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (KJV) 1. John 5:18 says according to the German Luther Version: “... he who is born of God preserves him and the evil does not touch him.” “Not only is Satan leading the world captive, but his deceptions are leavening the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ.” <sup>96</sup> Jesus clearly describes this phenomenon in His message to the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:17.
+
+In His discourse on last-day events in Matthew 24 and 25, four times Jesus mentions one particular sign of the end: deception. Deception is already very strong, but it will still increase. Who is being blinded, does hardly notice it. I think every one of us should check himself. We should realize that only the Holy Spirit can open our eyes to discern truth and deception. One area of great deception is in relation to obedience to God’s will, toward God’s Word, and toward God’s laws. Many have no clear idea what kind of obedience God wants and how it is possible for us to be obedient. This is the obedience of faith—a special kind of obedience.
+
+### What is obedience of faith?
+
+We face several possibilities for defining this term that the apostle Paul coined. It is definitely an obedience that exactly follows God’s plan for redemption. It has to do with entering a real trust relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. The result is my salvation through Christ’s sacrifice. My surrender to Jesus includes keeping the commandments through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not obedience through my own efforts.
+
+Paul took a deliberate stand against pharisaical law obedience, which meant earning one’s way into God’s kingdom by precisely observing God’s commands. He makes it clear that obedience is necessary for true discipleship, but this obedience differs from that of the Pharisees. It begins with a joyful acceptance of salvation through Jesus Christ. It produces acts of obedience in one’s life as a disciple of Jesus.
+
+This obedience is based on trust, which comes from the heart. Dennis Smith writes: “When someone lives in a close relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, then obedience comes naturally and from the heart, without giving it great thought.” <sup>97</sup> It is an obedience that is made possible by a divine-human cooperation.
+
+### God has revealed a mystery
+
+To summarize Romans 16:25,27: By the eternal God’s command a mystery was revealed, to establish obedience of faith. By order of God, this mystery of Christ in us achieves obedience of faith. Obedience of faith is thus a voluntary obedience based on faith, trust, and love. We enter a relationship of trust with God and based on this trust and on our understanding that His laws are in our best interest, we decide to be obedient.
+
+“Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.” <sup>98</sup>
+
+### What does this mystery consist of?
+
+Paul shows us in Colossians 1:25–27 that he was “made a minister, according to the dispensation of God ... to fulfil the word of God; even **the mystery which hath been hid from ages ... but now is made manifest** to his saints.” (KJV) What kind of mystery is this? “God would make known [to His saints] **what is the riches of the glory of this mystery ... which is Christ in you, the hope of glory**.” (KJV)
+
+This mystery, which was hidden and is now revealed, is that Jesus Himself wants to live in us through the Holy Spirit. The text says that this is the hope of glory for us, and it means that the fullness of life that God wants to give us now and eternal life in glory can be achieved and guaranteed. This intimate relationship, which Christ wants with us through the Holy Spirit, shows God’s great love in a completely different way. “Christ in us” is the heart of this mystery; in the broadest sense it is the gospel or the plan of redemption.
+
+Romans 16:25,26 tells us that through this mystery, obedience of faith is established or accomplished. This means that through Christ we are able to obey, and we also want to.
+
+### How is Christ in us?
+
+How is it possible that Christ can live in us? We read in Ephesians 3:16,17,19:
+
+“That He [the Father] would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, **to be strengthened with might through His Spirit** in the inner man, **that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith**; that you, being rooted and grounded in love ... may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
+
+We are told:
+
+1. Through the Holy Spirit we receive abundant power for our inner being.
+2. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ lives in us by faith.
+3. Thus, we will be rooted and grounded in love. When Jesus Christ lives in us, then He develops His character of love in us. The Bible also calls this “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22).
+4. This leads us to a life “filled with all the fullness of God” (see also John 10:10; Col 1:9,10).
+
+Christ in us means that our obedience is now possible, because it is
+
+brought forth in us by Jesus. Ellen White says: “When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ.” <sup>99</sup>
+
+Jesus lives in us when we completely trust Him, that is, when we have completely committed ourselves to Him. The resulting obedience is obedience of faith. Christ wants to live His victorious life in us.
+
+A further valuable thought is found in Galatians 4:19. Paul says there:
+
+“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” Paul is very anxious for Christ to live in the believers. He said, “until Christ is formed in you.” How long does it take for a person to be fully developed? It takes at least sixteen or seventeen years. I believe that Paul was referring to a growth process here. When we daily dedicate our lives to Christ and daily ask in faith for the Holy Spirit, then Christ is in us, but there is a growth process in this relationship.
+
+### Ambiguities
+
+Unfortunately, several points are unclear regarding obedience. First, we want to look at what essential points Jesus mentioned regarding our life of faith: “Without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) This also applies to the important area of obedience.
+
+Second, let’s look at a relevant statement from Ellen G. White that explains basic principles regarding obedience: “He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. Man cannot be saved without obedience, but his works should not be of himself; Christ should work in him to will and to do of his good pleasure.” <sup>100</sup>
+
+Three important points are made:
+
+1. It is impossible to reach heaven by my own works. This means that wanting to earn something from God (as in righteousness by works) is an error.
+2. However, obedience is an indispensable part of a life with God, since Jesus’ disciples are called to live in conformity with God’s will.
+3. Obedience should not be our own work, not from our own strength, but rather to will and to do should be accomplished by Christ in us.
+
+Now, we want to look more closely at how this is achieved. There are many who believe that they have to earn heaven either partially or completely. They think they have to follow this wrong course because they do not know the marvelous way God has provided for them. They try to achieve something that is impossible. Everyone who does not have Jesus living in them through the Holy Spirit is trying an impossibility, no matter how long or how short their list of obedience points is.
+
+Scripture teaches that we cannot be saved by our own merits (works by the law), but rather only by faith in God. Romans 3:28 says: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” “There is not a point that needs to be dwelt upon more earnestly, repeated more frequently, or established more firmly in the minds of all than the impossibility of fallen man meriting anything by his own best good works. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone.” <sup>101</sup>
+
+### Obedience is indispensable
+
+Jesus emphasizes obedience. His last words were: “[Teach] them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:20) Here He is clearly talking about obedience. The commandments, which Jesus Christ wrote with His own hand and gave to Moses at Sinai, require our obedience. This expectation from God, which the Bible testifies to, is summarized as follows: “All His gifts are promised on condition of obedience.” <sup>102</sup>
+
+In Christ’s Object Lessons, we also read: “The character of God is expressed in His law; and in order for you to be in harmony with God, the principles of His law must be the spring of your every action.”
+
+“Christ does not lessen the claims of the law. In unmistakable language He presents obedience to it as the condition of eternal life.” <sup>103</sup>
+
+The apostle John shows us that obedience indicates whether we know God or not: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:3,4, KJV) “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.” (1 John 3:24, KJV)
+
+Obedience is also an indicator that shows if we love God: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
+
+The Bible shows us that obedience is a sign of the remnant, the endtime church, speaking of those “who keep the commandments of God” (Rev 12:17). “Here are those who keep the commandments of God.” (Rev 14:12)
+
+Charles Finney, probably the most successful revivalist preacher of our time, said: “Revival is a new beginning of obedience to God.”<sup>104</sup> We also want to quote the Adult Bible Study Guide from August 31, 2011: “Obedience is not a means to salvation, but rather is a means which reveals the consequences and blessings of salvation in the life of the redeemed.”
+
+### Obedience in and through Christ
+
+We can only be obedient through Christ living in us. He alone can achieve this. As a human being, Christ was a model of obedience for us. “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Heb 5:8) “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (verse 9)
+
+Acts 5:32 confirms this: God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. Does this mean that our obedience to God’s commandments is a condition for our redemption? Not at all! Instead, Paul wants to again emphasize that the path to redemption is by faith alone and on this path we are to be obedient to God. Then He will work through His Spirit in a wondrous way, so that we willingly live as God wants us to.
+
+This is exactly what Paul writes in Roman 8:3,4: “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, **that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit**.” God said, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Eze 36:27)
+
+### Living continuously in the Holy Spirit
+
+To “walk after the Spirit” means to live continuously in the Holy Spirit. This text shows that the necessary obedience is fulfilled through Christ in us, namely in those in whom the Holy Spirit resides. God sent His Son so that the righteousness required by the law could be fulfilled by Him in us. Please note that the text does not say that righteousness is fulfilled through us, but rather in us.
+
+What does Paul say in Galatians 2:20 about his life? “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” (KJV) Paul makes it clear that Christ is leading his life. In Ezekiel 36:27, God tells us, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”
+
+Is it clear what this text means? God wants to imbue us with His Spirit and thus He will make us into people who keep His commandments. This means that God will take care of our obedience through the Holy Spirit.
+
+Here we see clearly that obedience takes place through the Holy Spirit and Christ in us. It is a heartfelt obedience. Without this fellowship we can only produce insufficient outward obedience. “It is true that there may be an outward correctness of deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions.”<sup>105</sup> It may be that we want to keep God’s commands out of a sense of duty or because it is expected from us. “The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely—because he is required to do so— will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within.” <sup>106</sup>
+
+### How can Christ live in us?
+
+A relationship with Jesus begins with complete surrender to Him. He answers this with our spiritual rebirth (see John 3:1–21). This new life of ours, given by God, is maintained by a daily renewal of our relationship with Christ. It takes our daily consecration as well as our daily request to be filled with the Holy Spirit—being refreshed by the Spirit. In this way Jesus lives in us. “To be strengthened with might through His Spirit ... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Eph 3:16,17)
+
+### Examine yourselves, whether Christ lives in you
+
+Scripture invites us to examine whether Christ lives in us. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Cor 13:5)
+
+God wants us to know our spiritual state. When are we disqualified or unfit? Since we become qualified through Christ in us, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, then being unfit would be a life that lacks being filled by the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls this a carnal mind.
+
+When is our car “unfit”? When it doesn’t run any longer. If it has no fuel, what can we do? We can either try to push it or purchase fuel. Of course, we will fill the car with fuel. Without Jesus in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, our obedience resembles someone trying to push a car with no fuel.
+
+Is it becoming more apparent to you how important Jesus is for our faith and life? Jesus is irreplaceable. “He who has the Son has life.” (1 John 5:12) “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) We need Jesus. Without Him we cannot be saved. We will have neither a fulfilled life here nor life in eternity.
+
+Do you better understand how obedience is accomplished? We show our willingness to Jesus through our daily surrender and request for the Holy Spirit that He can accomplish obedience in us. We understand this well when we read 1 Corinthians 1:30: “But of Him [God] you are in Christ Jesus, **who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption**.” All this Christ wants and can accomplish in us. And when the Bible says that Christ became sanctification for us, then it clearly means that it happened so that we can live in obedience.
+
+### When are we saved?
+
+Why is the answer to this question so important? When I am already saved, then it is clear that my obedience comes as a result of my salvation. It is not a prerequisite for my salvation. I am saved at the moment of my complete surrender to Jesus Christ. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8,9)
+
+When the apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he informed them that they were already saved. However, in Romans 8:24, he writes, “For we are saved by hope.” (KJV) We have the freedom to stay with God or not.
+
+After our salvation (by hope) our main concern is to abide in Christ until the end of our lives or until His second coming. We were saved by faith (Eph 2:8), and after that, it is necessary to stay in this faith. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.” (Col 2:6) The point is to remain in Christ through surrender. Dennis Smith writes the following about abiding in Christ: “Abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do as a prerequisite for our salvation. Rather it is our consent to letting Him do everything for us, in us and through us.” <sup>107</sup>
+
+### Why is our complete surrender necessary? What is it good for?
+
+Complete surrender has to do with our deliverance from the tyranny of our egos. Our ego is the cause of our problems. A proverb says: Every person’s greatest problem is themselves. Our ego gets offended, hurt, and upset; wants to assert its authority; is jealous, and so forth.
+
+“God desires to heal us, to set us free. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him. ... He sets before us the height of blessing to which He desires to bring us through His grace. He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” <sup>108</sup>
+
+Life under the reign of our ego is a life of slavery to sin. Life with Christ in us is a life of glorious freedom for the children of God. A potter can only form the clay that is in his hands. Our surrender is of absolute importance.
+
+After our surrender comes abiding in Christ. And when we remain in Him, then salvation will continue through all eternity. However, it will enter a completely new dimension after Jesus’ second coming.
+
+### Biblical obedience
+
+Biblical obedience doesn’t have to do with either merits or with righteousness by works. It is a logical result of my trust in God, my surrender, my salvation, and my relationship to Christ. Biblical obedience in a reborn Christian, one who is filled by the Holy Spirit, is nothing other than love to God expressed in deeds. Obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit gives joy and delight:
+
+“All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service.” <sup>109</sup>
+
+It should be clear to us that we cannot be obedient by our own efforts. The Lord tells us about the people of Israel: “They had no true conception of the holiness of God, of the exceeding sinfulness of their own hearts, their utter inability, in themselves, to render obedience to God’s law.” <sup>110</sup>
+
+We cannot observe God’s commandments in our own power. The secret of obedience is Jesus in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If we really love and trust Jesus, if He lives in us through the Holy Spirit, then obedience brings great joy. When Jesus lives in us, then He ensures that we have His law in our hearts. This law is the law of liberty, the Ten Commandments (Jas 2:12).
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>94</sup> Report by Prof. Dr. Karl Heim in a devotional, which I currently do not have on hand.
+
+<sup>95</sup> Matthias Claudius (Edition Steinkopf, 1982), S. 10.
+
+<sup>96</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 414.
+
+<sup>97</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days: Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming, book 1, pp. 21, 22.
+
+<sup>98</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 60, 61.
+
+<sup>99</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 314.
+
+<sup>100</sup> Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890, par. 11.
+
+<sup>101</sup> Ellen G. White, Faith and Works (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1999), p. 18.
+
+<sup>102</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 145.
+
+<sup>103</sup> Ibid., p. 391.
+
+<sup>104</sup> Cited in Unser größtes Bedürfnis (Our Greatest Need), Lüneburg: Werner E. Lange, 2011, S. 102.
+
+<sup>105</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 58.
+
+<sup>106</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 97.
+
+<sup>107</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days: Prayers and Devotions to Revive Your Experience With God, book 2 (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2011), p. 35.
+
+<sup>108</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 43, 44.
+
+<sup>109</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 668.
+
+<sup>110</sup> Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2005), p. 371.
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@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What is faithful obedience and how is it perceived?`
+
+`2. How and when am I saved? Is this salvation irrevocable?`
+
+`3. What is the natural consequence of biblical faith concerning the things we do or don’t do?`
+
+`4. Does God expect something from us? What role do works play in connection with salvation?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] For a deeper understanding of salvation and obedience.
+- [ ] For the joy that stems from our relationship with God.
+- [ ] For the biblical assurance of salvation.
+- [ ] For the love for God that is expressed in actions.
+- [ ] For the right understanding of God’s love and holiness.
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+title: How can I live in joyful obedience?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/04-obedience-through-jesus/04-how-does-obedience-through-jesus-in-me-work/04-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/04-obedience-through-jesus/04-how-does-obedience-through-jesus-in-me-work/04-chapter.md
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+---
+title: How does obedience through “Jesus in me” work?
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> God has designed: Collaboration between God and Man
+
+### A miracle of obedience at the wedding
+
+We all know the story of the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle. He turned water into wine, unfermented wine, which we would call grape juice. What happened there?
+
+Mary, the mother of Jesus, heard that there was no more wine and informed Jesus. But Jesus did not react as she expected. Nonetheless, she assumed that Jesus would somehow help in this situation, because she said to the servants: “Whatsoever he [Jesus] saith unto you, do it.” (John 2:5, KJV) Thus, Mary built up the confidence of the servants in Jesus.
+
+When Jesus finally said: “Fill the water pots with water,” they decided to do exactly that. Then He said: “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast,” and they did it (verses 7,8, KJV).
+
+We want to emphasize the following: Since the servants had gained confidence in Jesus, they decided to obey His orders willingly. In other words, their willingness and decision were discernible steps to obedience—by doing what Jesus requested. Through their obedience, Jesus turned water into a delicious drink. He performed His first miracle.
+
+What were the individual steps?
+
+- By her instruction, Mary built up the servants’ trust in Jesus.
+- The servants expressed their trust and willingness by doing what Jesus said.
+- Neither Mary nor the servants had a part in actually turning water into wine. Jesus alone performed this miracle.
+
+But would this miracle have happened without these preparatory steps? It is important that we trust Jesus, that we place our will and choices at His disposal and express this with steps to obedience. By doing so, Jesus—and Jesus alone—will perform this miracle. He alone also performs the miracle of obedience in us. This is how obedience of faith works. Jesus has been made wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption for us (1 Cor 1:30). Our decision to accept His will and our preparatory steps to obedience are the door-openers for the miracle of obedience, which Jesus performs in our lives.
+
+### Collaboration between God and man
+
+Ellen White explains how the steps to obedience worked in the life of Daniel: While God was working in Daniel and his companions “to will and to do of His good pleasure,” they were working out their own salvation (Philippians 2:13). Herein is revealed the outworking of the divine principle of co-operation, without which no true success can be attained. Human effort avails nothing without divine power; and without human endeavor, divine effort is with many of no avail. To make God’s grace our own, we must act our part. His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our effort. ...
+
+... And by the impartation of His Spirit He will strengthen every true purpose, every noble resolution. Those who walk in the path of obedience will encounter many hindrances. ... In His strength they may overcome every temptation, conquer every difficulty. <sup>111</sup>
+
+“The Lord designs that divine power shall cooperate with human effort.” <sup>112</sup> Mark Finley wrote, “Working together with God brings great joy and fulfillment.”
+
+### What part do we play? What part does Jesus have in us?
+
+1. We decide to develop our trust in Jesus, who works in us to will and to do. He creates in us an atmosphere of willingness, and we will know what we have to do. But He waits for our decision.
+
+2. It is our job to decide to do God’s will. Since God completely respects our personality and will, He can and will only intervene after we have made our decision. He waits for it.
+
+3. It is our job to make visible our decision to trust in Jesus and to express it in our steps of obedience. These steps of obedience can differ greatly in magnitude.
+
+4. God does the crucial part alone, and He also supports us with our developing trust and preparation. But we shouldn’t forget that there is a big difference between trying to make the decision and steps of obedience in our own strength or if we do them in God’s strength. Our part is done in God’s strength, when Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit. This makes obedience a joy, whether in small things or great things.<sup>113</sup>
+
+### Questions
+
+There are differing opinions about who makes obedience possible. Some hold the view that obedience is the result of divine-human collaboration. Others say that God or Christ does it alone. So how does it work?
+
+At the time of Jesus many people believed that it was enough to know the truth. In The Desires of Ages, we read: “The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness.” <sup>114</sup>
+
+God does not expect us to passively endure His will, but rather He expects us to react to it, to be reactive. This means that with Christ in our hearts we make a positive decision and practically implement it. “He [man] is elected to put on the armor, to fight the good fight of faith. He is elected to use the means God has placed within his reach. ... He is elected to have faith continually.”<sup>115</sup> “Let no man present the idea that man has little or nothing to do in the great work of overcoming; for God does nothing for man without his cooperation. ... From first to last man is to be a laborer together with God. ... Cooperation with Christ means a victory. ...
+
+“Never leave the impression on the mind that there is little or nothing to do on the part of man; but rather teach man to cooperate with God, that he may be successful in overcoming.” <sup>116</sup>
+
+When we acknowledge the role of our decision and preparatory steps, then it is clear that this is a divine-human collaboration, although the preparatory steps are also taken in God’s strength when Christ is in us through the Holy Spirit.
+
+To my knowledge, this is the correct point of view, since God totally respects man and doesn’t act without his consent. Man shows this consent through steps of obedience. It is clear that God does the crucial part. We need to see all the phases of such a process and consequently see those involved—God and man—working together.
+
+We find a good example of divine-human collaboration in the battle between Israel and Amalek in the desert (see Ex 17:8–16). Joshua fought with his troops, but they were victorious because Moses prayed, with the support of Aaron and Hur.
+
+### Different sizes of obedience steps
+
+**Mary, mother of Jesus.**
+
+When the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, she could only express her consent to God’s will. She said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luk 1:38, KJV) Beyond that, there was nothing she could do except wait for God’s intervention. At that moment, she could only give her consent or not give it. This acceptance of God’s will brought great changes in her life and, from a human point of view, a high risk. As we can see, Mary lived in complete surrender.
+
+**The ten lepers.**
+
+The lepers who came to Jesus cried, “Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus saw their faith and responded, “Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luk 17:13,14, KJV)
+
+These men manifested their trust and their decision by immediately going. Jesus did not go for them. Were they healed by going? Certainly not! They were healed because Jesus healed them according to their trusting obedience. They had no part in their actual recovery. Nevertheless, their trust and the manifestation of their trust through steps of obedience opened the door for the miracle that Jesus performed for them. Jesus alone performed the miracle.
+
+**The healing of Naaman.**
+
+Remember how Naaman was healed from leprosy? God’s instructions through Elisha were as follows: “Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.” (2 Kgs 5:10, KJV) Naaman was angry about this order. Only after he had been persuaded by his servants did he have enough trust to do it. God did not take it from him to go to the Jordan and immersing himself in the water. After Naaman dipped himself in the water the seventh time, he was healed of leprosy. Did the seven immersions heal him? No! The steps of obedience he made as a result of his small faith were the steps that released God’s healing. We see again that small faith in God and steps of obedience led to God’s miracle. Naaman had no part in this miracle. But without his preparatory steps nothing would have happened.
+
+**Rudi and Marie Ana Hirschmann.**
+
+After World War II, a young couple who had just been baptized into the Adventist Church were living in a small town near Bad Aibling, Germany. Marie Ana was expecting their first child and had to quit her job as a schoolteacher for health reasons.
+
+In his search for a job, Rudi went daily to Munich for weeks on end, but in vain. Their savings melted away until they only had six Marks (the German currency at the time). In addition, they had an envelope with money that belonged to God. It was their tithe money, which they had set aside. What should they do?
+
+Maria Ana said, “Rudi, when our money is all gone, we will be tempted to use God’s money. So it would be best not to keep it at home. When you take the train to Munich tomorrow, take the money with you and bring it to the treasurer of the conference.”
+
+So that’s what Rudi did. He brought the money to the treasurer. She asked Rudi how they were doing, and he explained the situation.
+
+“Wait a moment,” she said and made a phone call. Then she said, “I think we have found a job for you. Go to this address and ask for Mr. Bauer.”
+
+A half hour later Rudi was employed. The Hirschmanns had paid their tithe although they were financially broke. They manifested their faith by taking a step of obedience, and God intervened at that moment. <sup>117</sup>
+
+**A tour company on the island of Guam**.
+
+A couple who owned a large tour company on the island of Guam became Christians. The wife was baptized first and then the husband in January 2004. They very prayerfully prepared for Sabbath observance in their company. They cancelled all their services with hotels on Sabbath. The husband explained the reasons for these measures to travel agencies, hotels, and sales agents who used their tour services. Many of the clients responded that they would have to give their business to other tour companies, the couple’s competition. The man’s employees were afraid they would lose their jobs. This decision seemed like a death sentence for the company. But listen to what our brother has to say: “I still remember the first Sabbath we closed. On Friday evening, we switched the answering machine on for the reservation calls. On the first Saturday we were closed, the weather unexpectedly changed, and rain fell in torrents the whole day. In the evening we discovered that the answering machine was full of reservations for Sunday. Over the next six months the weather held the same pattern: beautiful weather on Friday, torrential rain on Sabbath, and beautiful weather on Sunday. God took care of us.” <sup>118</sup>
+
+The couple’s part in this miracle was trusting God and taking the preparatory steps. The miracles that followed could only be performed by God.
+
+Let’s remember this: “As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.”119 God has laid great blessing on the obedience of faith—living out our trust in God and our surrender to Him.
+
+### Why is obedience for our own good?
+
+God designed it so that obedience is the best way possible for us. Jeremiah 7:23 says, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, **that it may be well with you**.” Any medical doctor would confirm that a remedy can only heal if it is conscientiously administered. This means that we must follow the doctor’s instructions if we want to be healed. The best physician cannot help if his instructions are not properly followed. Obedience is not only a logical consequence of our trust and surrender, but also obedience is in our best interest, since all of God’s commandments were given for our own good.
+
+What happened with the brass serpent in the wilderness (see Num 21:4–9)? When the people looked at the serpent as God commanded, they were healed. Did turning their heads cause the healing? No, of course not. They were healed because they showed their faith in God by looking at the serpent. God alone healed them. Obedience was for their own good.
+
+Likewise, “by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house” (Heb 11:7, KJV). The construction of the ark was a result of Noah’s trust in God, and he showed that his faith was genuine. He invested all his fortune and time into this construction, and he certainly did not regret it. Wasn’t his obedience for his own good? He did not know beforehand, but he lived in hope. One thing is clear, the construction of this vessel was done through God’s guidance and power.
+
+### One-sided opinions
+
+Unfortunately, today, God’s ordinances are seen in a very unbalanced light. God’s law is only thought of in terms of restrictive commandments that have to be obeyed. However, God’s commandments are, first and foremost, promises for us. God’s laws show us what He can do in our life when we are connected to Him by a trusting and loving relationship.
+
+God’s commandments are laws of blessings. Obedience is simply the mind-set through which we can have divine wisdom and power for our daily concerns. When we see obedience from this perspective, then we lose our fear and see it as a joy.
+
+### Obedience, a gift from God
+
+When Jesus produces obedience in us, then it means that obedience is a gift. If we see obedience as a gift, this helps to avoid two dangers: (1) the fallacy of “cheap grace” and (2) the temptation of legalism.
+
+“Cheap grace” usually means that a person is saved when they accept Jesus and they think no obedience is necessary. They say that the law has been abolished since we couldn’t keep it anyway. This is what carnal Christians believe. But in God’s power we want to and can obey.
+
+On the other hand, the intention to earn God’s kingdom is not only an ensnarement, but also—if taken seriously—a heavy burden. This is the snare of legalism.
+
+When Jesus produces obedience in us in connection with our decision and desire, then we see that obedience is important and we will realize that it doesn’t have a meritorious character in itself, because it was given to us as a gift. <sup>120</sup>
+
+Obedience is necessary as a result, as a fruit of our relationship with God and our salvation, but not a prerequisite. Everyone can come to Jesus without any prerequisites, just as he or she is. But no one can remain as they are. Would we think that when a thief has been converted—saved—that she can continue to rob people?
+
+### Putting ourselves and our concerns into greater hands
+
+It is important to let go of ourselves and our concerns and entrust them to God’s leading. We shouldn’t see ourselves as too important. This applies to every area of life. We shouldn’t hold anything back. Should I hold something back when I can put all of it into much greater and stronger hands— God’s hands? Would that be smart?
+
+If we want the Lord to care for us, to meet our needs, to protect us from our enemies, to lead us the best way, then it is logical that we have to follow His voice and go the way He chooses for us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Prov 3:5,6)
+
+We can understand this advice very well nowadays. Many car drivers use a navigation system today. We rely on the larger overview of the system. But that doesn’t mean that our reason has been deactivated. It is still needed. It is still our job to drive. On the road we are connected with a “leader” who has a greater overview and tells us where to turn, whether we should take a detour because of a traffic jam, whether we are driving too fast, and so on. By God’s grace we can go through life with a divine “navigation system.” Therefore, it is important to rely with our whole heart upon our wonderful heavenly Guide and Giver of reason. He promises to guide us correctly. He even vouches for it with His reputation. “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Ps 23:3). Here obedience is also completely in our own interest.
+
+By following the divine laws, whether laws of nature, or spiritual laws, there are positive results for everybody. Even non-believers can experience positive results if they observe these divine laws. I call this the natural blessing. But a lot more happens, even miracles, when spiritual laws are followed. I call this the supernatural blessing.
+
+Trust and obedience enrich each other. In James 2:22, we read: “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (KJV) Trust in God fosters obedience, and obedience fosters our trust in God.
+
+I would like to repeat an apt quote from Dennis Smith: “When someone lives in a close relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, then obedience comes naturally and from the heart, without giving it great thought.” <sup>121</sup>
+
+When we understand obedience correctly, then we will better understand the wonderful statements in the Psalms (especially Ps 19 and 119) about God’s law. They show that salvation, redemption, and the law belong together. A saved person will esteem God’s law and, through their life in the Holy Spirit and with Jesus in their hearts, they will gladly be obedient. I believe that a carnal Christian cannot even understand the statements in Psalm 119. Presumably, they would consider them an exaggeration. On the other hand, a spiritual Christian can empathize with what the psalmist wrote.
+
+God has told us: “As we walk day by day in the light He sends us, in willing obedience to all His requirements, our experience grows and broadens until we reach the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.” <sup>122</sup>
+
+### How much obedience does God expect?
+
+How much obedience does Jesus want to achieve in me? A little, a lot, or completely?
+
+A clear example appears in the life of Moses in Exodus 4:24–26. In the desert of Midian, Moses was commissioned to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. “On the way from Midian [to Egypt], Moses received a startling and terrible warning of the Lord’s displeasure. An angel appeared to him in a threatening manner, as if he would immediately destroy him. No explanation was given; but Moses remembered that he had disregarded one of God’s requirements; yielding to the persuasion of his wife, he had neglected to perform the rite of circumcision upon their youngest son.” The youth was circumcised immediately. “... The angel then permitted Moses to pursue his journey. In his mission to Pharaoh, Moses was to be placed in a position of great peril; his life could be preserved only through the protection of holy angels. But while living in neglect of a known duty, he would not be secure; for he could not be shielded by the angels of God.” <sup>123</sup>
+
+The lesson to be drawn out of this incident can be found further in Patriarchs and Prophets: “In the time of trouble just before the coming of Christ, the righteous will be preserved through the ministration of heavenly angels; but there will be no security for the transgressor of God’s law. Angels cannot then protect those who are disregarding one of the divine precepts.” <sup>124</sup>
+
+Observing all God’s commandments is for our protection, our happiness, and our well-being. We know that Adam and Eve had to leave Eden due to one single sin. I think this is a clear answer to the question of how much obedience God expects. It is understandable that the Lord expects obedience in all things, when we keep in mind that Jesus accomplishes this obedience in us, and it is in our best interest. Jesus wants to accomplish the will of God in us, just as He did as a human being here on this earth. His attitude as a human being was: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” (Ps 40:8, KJV) He said to His disciples, “I have kept My Father‘s commandments.” (John 15:10)
+
+Moreover, if complete obedience brings complete happiness and life in abundance here and in eternity, then it is obvious that a decrease in obedience means a loss of blessings. Everyone who is and ever will be in God’s kingdom will joyfully obey God. This ensures love and harmony for all creatures.
+
+### Final thoughts
+
+Jeremiah 7:23 summarizes this whole topic. These words were given to Israel while they were leaving Egypt. “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.”
+
+Here the Lord has given us a precious promise. What does He promise if we obey His Word? “I will be your God, and you shall be My people.” But He adds that we have to go the whole way for our own well-being. We may use this text as a promise in a prayer for an obedient heart.
+
+### What happened to the apostle John?
+
+We can see the wonderful result of obedience of faith in the life of John, Jesus’ disciple. In Steps to Christ, we read: “Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ’s Spirit, His love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven.” <sup>125</sup>
+
+“The Lord has determined that every soul who obeys His word shall have His joy, His peace, His continual keeping power.” <sup>126</sup> It is my desire and my prayer that all believers persevere to experience the great joy of obedience of faith. May God bestow on us great victories in obedience of faith through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. “He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:17, KJV)
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him ... to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.” (Ps 103:17,18)
+
+We want to hear about a great step of obedience.
+
+**Holy Spirit convinces an escaped convict to return to prison**. I was born into an Adventist family. At 19, I was baptized. In 2016, I was sentenced to 43 years in prison for murder. It’s my fifth year in prison now. I was able to escape from prison in March 2017. After the first Sabbath, I met a woman who showed me the book “_Steps to Personal Revival_.” On the Monday after, I bought it in the Adventist bookstore. To my own surprise, I read it through the same week. I could sense my inner emptiness, which I have had all my life—without the Holy Spirit. Then I dedicated my whole life to Jesus. I went back to prison in October 2018. My escape was not charged to me. And best of all, my trial is now taking place before Almighty God. I have appealed to the Supreme Court. After reading this book, I was so blessed that I am deeply convinced: “There are no hopeless cases for God! I am now the leader of the prayer ministry. The booklet was distributed here in the Barawagi Prison among the prisoners. Many prisoners were touched by this booklet after reading it. I am glad that I can serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was and is a real blessing for us.” <sup>127</sup>
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: “Father, thank you that in your infinite wisdom, tremendous power and glorious love you have provided full guidance for us to attain the best life possible. You created everything in our best interest. I want to praise you and thank you for this. Please give me complete trust in your ways and help me to follow you in all matters with my whole heart in surrender and obedience.” Amen
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>111</sup> Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, pp. 486, 487.
+
+<sup>112</sup> Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, January 2, p. 10.
+
+<sup>113</sup> Mark Finley, Decisions: Persuading People for Christ (Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1984).
+
+<sup>114</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 309.
+
+<sup>115</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2003), p. 454.
+
+<sup>116</sup> Ellen G. White, A New Life (Revival and Beyond) (Payson, AZ: Leaves-of-AutumnBooks, 1972), pp. 38, 39.
+
+<sup>117</sup> Maria Ana Hirschmann, I Changed Gods (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1968), p. 156.
+
+<sup>118</sup> Steve Kasperbauer, Gott ist treu (Braunau/Austria: Copyright Brigitte Kinder, 2013). A full report about this experience is published in German in the MISSIONSBRIEF (mission letter) No. 40, March/ April 2014.
+
+<sup>119</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 333.
+
+<sup>120</sup> See the Adult Bible Study Guide, March 31, 2011.
+
+<sup>121</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days–Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming (R&H 2009) pp. 21, 22.
+
+<sup>122</sup> Ellen G. White, Messages to Young People, pp. 15, 16.
+
+<sup>123</sup> Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 255, 256.
+
+<sup>124</sup> Ibid., p. 256.
+
+<sup>125</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 73.
+
+<sup>126</sup> Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1999), p. 53.
+
+<sup>127</sup> E. E. EE260419 Experience # 91 at www.steps-to-personal-revival.info Experiences
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/04-obedience-through-jesus/04-how-does-obedience-through-jesus-in-me-work/04-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/04-obedience-through-jesus/04-how-does-obedience-through-jesus-in-me-work/04-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What is our part in the divine work being done in us, including our actions?`
+
+`2. What is the difference between faith and a mere consent of the truth?`
+
+`3. When is consent from us important?`
+
+`4. Why is obedience a great blessing for us?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] To be more aware of our role in divine working.
+- [ ] For the insight to recognize where there is true faith or only consent in our lives.
+- [ ] For faithful obedience and the subsequent blessing.
+- [ ] For complete trust in God’s leading and His principles.
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+title: How does obedience through “Jesus in me” work?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/04-obedience-through-jesus/section.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/04-obedience-through-jesus/section.yml
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+title: "Chapter 4: Obedience Through Jesus"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-how-can-oneness-be-achieved-among-believers/05-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-how-can-oneness-be-achieved-among-believers/05-chapter.md
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+---
+title: How can oneness be achieved among believers?
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> What makes our faith appealing to our family and the world? What changes in us make us witnesses? How does revival generate mission?
+
+My prayer partner from a forty-day devotional time once said: “I long for an attractive faith so that my children will also follow Christ.”
+
+Mary Jones, a girl from Wales, was able to go once a week to a distant family to read their Bible. This took place from age ten to fifteen. She loved the Bible with all her heart. She did a lot of extra jobs in order to earn money to buy a Bible of her own. For six years she saved every penny she earned.
+
+When she was almost sixteen, Mary walked barefoot twenty-five miles to see a pastor from whom she wanted to buy a Bible. He said that he still had two Bibles, but they were already promised to other people. Mary started to weep bitterly. The pastor asked her why she was crying. So she told him how she had saved money for six years in order to purchase a Bible. The pastor no longer had the heart to refuse and allowed her to have a Bible. Overjoyed, she left for home.
+
+Was the Bible attractive to her? Was faith attractive to this girl?
+
+Incidentally, this took place in 1800. This experience impressed the pastor so much that he took steps to found the first worldwide Bible society, the British and Foreign Bible Society. Later many other Bible societies were founded.
+
+And all this because a young girl loved the Bible so much that she devoted her life to getting one. Attractive faith has an impact. <sup>128</sup>
+
+### The meaning of “attractive”
+
+Dictionaries define attractive as appealing, endearing, fascinating, desirable. Who does not want to have faith like that? I believe that anyone who really thinks about it would wish to have an appealing, fascinating faith.
+
+**How can I desire such a faith? What should it look like?**
+
+- It should offer a firm and reliable foundation for life.
+- It should be based on truth, not on errors or lies.
+- It should be based on the revelation of our loving and all-wise God, not mixed with human doctrines, so that it will serve our best interest.
+- It should be entirely convincing and bring great joy.
+- It should bring definite advantages for our own life.
+- It should be able to sustain me in difficult circumstances—in sickness, in distress, in death.
+- It should convey hope for eternity.
+
+All these points have to do with what happens within ourselves. But attractive faith should have further influence. My prayer partner said, “I long for an attractive faith so that my children will also follow Christ.”
+
+- An attractive faith should lead our loved ones and other people to gain interest in it and want to have it for themselves.
+
+### What is meant by attractive faith?
+
+Attractive faith is spiritual Christianity—life with Jesus Christ in us through the Holy Spirit. We should keep the following Bible passage in mind: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love ... that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:16,17,19)
+
+These verses say that God’s Spirit strengthens us and thus Christ lives in us and will unfold His nature of love in us. This frees us from the bondage to our self. We experience the glorious freedom of being God’s children.
+
+Jesus says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) When Jesus is in my heart through the Holy Spirit, then He is also my way to the Father, my guide to the truth. He is the means for the highest quality of life.
+
+### How does Jesus describe attractive faith?
+
+Jesus spoke of a fullness that no person can give. It is deep inner peace and real joy, because the God of love and peace is allowed to take up residence in the heart. This condition is not dependent on external circumstances; however, it is dependent on childlike trust and faith in God’s power. Paul wrote to Jesus’ followers: “That you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19b)
+
+Jesus in our hearts. That is what we need, “for the full content of divine nature lives in Christ, in his humanity, and you have been given full life in union with him” (Col 2:9,10, GNT). This is the highest summit we can reach in this life. It is what God wants to give us out of His great love.
+
+The woman at Jacob’s well experienced this. Jesus used an example from daily life to illustrate the fulfillment of this longing. Back in those times, water was one of the most valuable and important things a person needed. Through Jesus we come to the “fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14), which means we can drink from this fountain and our longing will be satisfied.
+
+All people have a longing for happiness. They don’t know that in reality it is a longing for a personal relationship with God, because according to Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He [God] has put eternity in their hearts.” Whoever hasn’t found intimate fellowship with God has a vacuum in their hearts, according to Blaise Pascal. As a result, people have a constant longing for more and more.
+
+Jesus invites us to have faith in Him, to trust Him. The results will be obvious in the one who does, because “out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). They have an overflowing life, an attractive charisma, and they exert an influence that will strengthen others.
+
+Attractive faith is a rich and fulfilled life in this world and to an even greater, unimaginable degree in eternity.
+
+### God’s Word shows that my faith is attractive to others
+
+Let us read Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20–23: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (NIV)
+
+Jesus prayed that His disciples would be one through the ages. In that case, He was also praying for you and me. Jesus not only prayed for our unity, so that we feel good in our fellowship and help each other, but He also stated that the unity of the disciples would be attractive to the people in the world: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34,35) He shows us that due to the oneness of the disciples, the world will believe and know these three important things.
+
+### What does the world recognize in us?
+
+1. The world knows that people are disciples of Jesus by the love within the circle of believers and within the church. This means the world is watching us. The world realizes that the loving behavior among the disciples is a result of their relationship with Jesus. (“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”)
+
+2. Due to the oneness amongst Jesus’ disciples, the world believes that Jesus is God’s Ambassador. (“That the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”) People in the world realize that Jesus is the Redeemer sent by God because of the loving togetherness of His disciples.
+
+3. Amazingly, people in the world recognize that God loves them because of the loving behavior amongst His disciples. (“The world may know that thou ... hast loved them [the world], as thou hast loved me.”)
+
+In summary, through the oneness amongst Jesus’ disciples, people will (1) recognize their relationship to Jesus, (2) recognize that Jesus was sent by God, and (3) recognize that God loves them. Jesus will be recognized by the world through the conduct of Spirit-filled disciples with each other. Jesus can exert this appealing influence through spiritual Christians. Revival generates mission.
+
+### Why is it that people learn something about God through the loving behavior of disciples?
+
+After all, every person is very different. We have different talents and abilities; there are men, women, young and old. We often have different educational or cultural backgrounds. We have different temperaments, opinions, and experiences. In the world these differences often lead to tension between people. They can also lead to rivalry and strife. That’s why people are astonished by, and attracted to, groups of people among whom love, harmony, and helpfulness exist.
+
+When I was a pastor in Munich, Germany, I visited with a former business friend in a small town nearby. He lived on a street where a large Adventist extended family lived together in one house. Knowing that I was an Adventist, he said to me, “The whole street is amazed that these fifteen or twenty people can live together in a house in harmony and without any conflicts.” The neighbors recognized something: this was attractive faith.
+
+Walter Schlund, who is now a member of a small church in Germany, tells another example of this phenomenon: “Before I was a Christian, we wanted to visit Romania and ended up in a flooded region. We still had 75 miles to our destination, but we could go no further. So we asked for directions. By coincidence, we spoke with an Adventist, who led us to the family of Pastor Biró. The family invited us to spend the night in their home, which we gratefully accepted. It was during this time with this family that I made the decision to surrender my life to Christ and become an Adventist. It was the way the family acted towards each other—the harmonious family life, the prevailing peace, the friendly atmosphere, the family worships. I experienced a quality of life that deeply impressed me. I wanted to have this too.” <sup>129</sup> This was attractive faith.
+
+I remember during my time in Regensburg, Germany, that over a period of time I visited some people in a certain residential area and I noticed their homes were always filled with tension and conflict. It is so much more pleasant when you have the privilege of experiencing visits with people who are different, whose hearts are filled with love.
+
+### Why can Attractive faith only come from God’s Word?
+
+Attractive faith is based solely on the Word of God—namely the Old and New Testaments.
+
+When Jesus said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said” (John 7:38), He meant the Old Testament, since that was the only one in existence then. In John 17:14, He made it more clear when He said of His Father: “I have given them thy word.” (KJV) And in verse 17, He points out: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (KJV)
+
+Every religion in the world is a way to a god or gods that has been conceived by human beings. The only faith that has not been conceived by men, but has been revealed by God Himself, is biblical faith. Since God is love and He has infinite wisdom and ability, He established everything for our greatest benefit. Therefore, biblical faith is the most attractive faith that exists. In reality, it is the only attractive faith in the world. It does require that we have understood the biblical doctrines correctly and live according to them through the Spirit. According to the parable of the ten virgins, about half of the church have no such faith.
+
+Through our trust in Jesus, we can experience joy and peace and experience our spiritual thirst being satisfied. Our God wishes that His love will become visible to others in our lives. That makes our faith attractive to them.
+
+### How is unity among disciples possible?
+
+It is about being one in marriage and family, in the church and in the ministries. Jesus says: “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.” (John 17:22, KJV).
+
+What has Jesus given us? Glory!
+
+What does this mean? The term glory is used in different ways in the Bible. First, it is used for the majesty and the greatness of God; second, for the glory of creation, and third, for God’s wonderful nature of love. At this point we should take a look at Exodus 33:18,19, where Moses says to God, “Please show me your glory” (ESV) And the Lords answers, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee” (KJV).
+
+The glory of God is His character, which is characterized by love and goodness. Goodness is helping love in action. This helps us to understand Jesus’ statement that He has given us the glory of God so that we can be one with Him. The most important prerequisite for oneness is mutual love paired with respect and trust. God’s method for mission is to love humankind through us, namely with agape love, God’s love. This is the kind of love that God wants to share through us.
+
+After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, remarkable things are told about the early church: “And when they had prayed ... they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and of one soul. ... And with great power the apostles gave witness. ... And great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:31–33)
+
+### Oneness is not homogenization
+
+Oneness is unity of mind, purpose, and essence. At the same time, the personality of each individual is retained. It doesn’t abolish our personality. It is oneness of different people with different characters. And it is exactly this that evokes great astonishment: the oneness of different people.
+
+Ellen White says: “The strongest witness that God has sent His Son into the world is the existence of harmony and union among men of varied dispositions who form His church. ...
+
+... Unbelievers are watching to see if the faith of professed Christians is exerting a sanctifying influence upon their lives.” <sup>130</sup> Elsewhere she writes: “Transformation of character [in disciples] is the testimony to the world of an indwelling Christ.” <sup>131</sup>
+
+### How Can Oneness Be Achieved?
+
+The oneness of disciples is achieved by Christ living in them through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said,
+
+John 17:21: “That they also may be one in us.” John 17:23: “I in them, and thou in me.”
+
+John 15:4: “Abide in Me, and I in You.”
+
+The apostle Paul puts it like this,
+
+Colossians 1:27: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
+
+Galatians 2:20: “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” (KJV)
+
+Thus, oneness is possible when Christ is in you and me. It is not possible without our being filled with the Holy Spirit. Then we can only be “nice” to each other. Ellen White writes: “We are to seek most earnestly to be of one mind, of one purpose. The baptism of the Holy Spirit, and nothing less, can bring us to this place. Let us by self-renunciation prepare our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit that a great work may be done for us ...” <sup>132</sup>
+
+Elsewhere she writes: “When God’s people are one in the unity of the Spirit, all of Phariseeism, all of self-righteousness, which was the sin of the Jewish nation, will be expelled from all hearts. The mold of Christ will be upon each individual member of His body, and His people will be new bottles into which He can pour His new wine, and the new wine will not break the bottles. God will make known the mystery which hath been hidden for ages. He will make known what are the ‘riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (Col 1:27).” <sup>133</sup>
+
+### They Found Unity
+
+This second experience we have experienced with another community from our district. My predecessor said, “You need a lot of courage for this church because you are going into a real minefield!” We quickly realized that the tensions were very high. There were quarrels, divisions, injuries and unforgiveness. Uncontrolled emotional outbursts and personal attacks covered the entire community with a dark cloud. It was sad to see how entangled the church members were in a web of unforgiveness and did not realize they could not make it out on their own. After house groups were founded, the brochure _Steps to Personal Revival_ was distributed for study in these groups. The members responded positively and were very grateful for this brochure.
+
+Here, too, the members began to perform the 10 prayer and fasting days individually. (10 Days – Prayers and Devotions to Experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by Dennis Smith) Finally, the desire was expressed to do it together as a church. The meetings took place again at four o’clock in the morning. At first there were not many participants, but gradually more joined and there was a wonderful, peaceful, spiritual atmosphere. One sensed that God was working. He miraculously prepared the church for the final step that was so hard for her: the step to true forgiveness. Eventually, the wall fell and one person after another publicly begged forgiveness. Others were directly addressing the person with whom they were arguing and asking for forgiveness. They hugged each other. Tears flowed. The sad faces became happy again and love returned to their hearts. It is always a wonderful experience to see and experience. Only God can guide people through his Holy Spirit. There is hope for minefields!
+
+Pastor F.H. and his wife, #85b
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>128</sup> Taken from Wikipedia, “Mary Jones.”
+
+<sup>129</sup> BWgung, news magazine from the Seventh-day Adventists in Baden-Württemberg (Germany), Nr. 6/2012, S. 24.
+
+<sup>130</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 549, 550.
+
+<sup>131</sup> Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 233.
+
+<sup>132</sup> Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, November 5; p. 318.
+
+<sup>133</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 386.
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+---
+title: How can I implement and experience God’s solution for me?
+---
+
+`1. What does “attractive” mean? What is attractive faith?`
+
+`2. Where can we read about this attractive faith in the Bible?`
+
+`3. How is this type of faith shown practically in life?`
+
+`4. What are the things people know when they see unity among believers?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner:**
+
+- [ ] For attractive faith, which is a blessing for us and can be a blessing to others.
+- [ ] For insight to see where this attractive faith is missing in daily life.
+- [ ] For God’s leading and strength to help us make more room for this winsome faith.
+- [ ] That your faith will encourage others to be open to God’s working.
+- [ ] That Christ will live in us and constantly be more visible.
\ No newline at end of file
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+title: How can oneness be achieved among believers
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/05-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/05-chapter.md
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+---
+title: What changes in uns make us witnesses? How does revival generate mission?
+---
+
+### How does Christ live in Me?
+
+An explanation can be found in Ephesians 3:16,17: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; ... being rooted and grounded in love.” As we have observed before, Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit. Since our inner being “is renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16), it is important to renew our surrender to Jesus every morning and ask Him by faith—preferably by claiming a promise such as Luke 11:13—for us to be filled by the Holy Spirit. <sup>134</sup> The oneness of individuals with Christ leads to the disciples being closer to each other. Thus, our “being in Christ” is the basis for oneness.
+
+“This [oneness, unity] is a gift, which is bestowed on the believers by Christ living in them [John 17:22,23]. ... Therefore, oneness begins with each individual.” <sup>135</sup>
+
+### What effect does it have on us when Jesus lives in us?
+
+There are three major effects of Jesus living in us: the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and the ability to witness.
+
+The fruit and the gifts of the Spirit are essential for the success of togetherness. And then these two areas have a significant influence on the third area: our testimony about Jesus. Our personal transformation is a prerequisite for our testimony and our oneness as disciples. The resulting behavior is used by the Lord to attract unsaved people and to enable us to witness. Through our testimony we become Jesus’ co-workers, because He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luk 19:10).
+
+Let us take a closer look at these three areas:
+
+**1. The fruit of the Spirit**. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal 5:22) All these characteristics play an important role in daily life. They are an important prerequisite for unity in marriage and family, in discipleship groups, in churches and ministries.
+
+Paul speaks about the overall importance of one fruit, which is the unfolding of God’s nature in us. In Ephesians 3:17, we read: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” (KJV; emphasis added) The fruit he speaks about is love. In Greek it is called agape. This love is God’s nature. It is unselfish love that seeks the best for God and man. Eva von Tiele-Winckler explains the fruit of God’s love as follows:
+
+- Joy is rejoicing love.
+- Peace is resting love.
+- Longsuffering is sustaining love.
+- Gentleness is radiant love.
+- Goodness is helping love.
+- Faith is trusting love.
+- Meekness is defenseless love.
+- Chastity is pure love.
+
+I think it is obvious that the fruit of these Spirit-given characteristics is love. That’s why it speaks about the fruit in the singular form and not in the plural form. Ellen White says of these characteristics: “Transformation of character is the testimony to the world of an indwelling Christ.” <sup>136</sup>
+
+**2. The gifts of the Spirit**. The other important effect the life of Jesus has in us is receiving gifts of the Spirit. God has given us diverse talents. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the church, meaning a specific number of people, with the human body. The body consists of numerous different organs. It is important for life and health that each organ functions well. This shows that it is our duty to serve each other with our various talents and thus contribute to the overall success of the family, the group, the church. Each one is assigned a different work. God has given us different abilities.
+
+The lists of gifts in the New Testament are not exhaustive. There were many more gifts in the early church; and in our modern age, there are additional gifts.
+
+| Wordgifts | Miraculous gifts | Service gifts
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| Wisdom speech 1 Cor 12:8 | (miraculous) faith 1 Cor 12:9 | Gifts of leadership Rom 12:8; 1 Cor 12:28 |
+| Knowledge speech 1 Cor 12:8 | healing gifts 1 Cor 12:9,28 | General services Rom 12:7 |
+| Prophetic speech 1 Cor 12:10,28; Rom 12:7 | Languages (tongues) 1 Cor 12:10,28 | Gift of helping 1 Cor 12:28 |
+| Gift of teaching 1 Cor 12:28; Rom 12:7; Eph 4:11 | Interpretation of the tongues speech 1 Cor 12:10,30 | Gift of giving Rom 12:8 |
+| Evangelist gift Eph 4:11 | Differentiation of the spirits 1 Cor 12:10 | Gift of mercy Rom 12:8 |
+| Apostle gift 1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11 | Miraculous powers 1 Cor 12:10,28 | Gift of hospitality 1 Petr 4:9 |
+| Gift of exhortation Rom 12:28 | | pastoral gift Eph 4:11 |
+
+Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg: Advent-Verlag, 1999), S. 121.
+
+It is vital that these two elements—fruit of the Spirit and gifts of the Spirit—are manifested in our nature and through our speech, feelings, thoughts, and actions. There is only one way that this can happen. We have to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+The key aspects for having a life in the Holy Spirit are daily praying for complete surrender to God and asking in faith to be filled with the Holy Spirit. An example of such a prayer can be found in the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_, chapter 4. Readers have told me experiences that illustrate the effect of this kind of prayer. This one is from Rheinland, Germany: “We have had amazing experiences. Many brothers and sisters pray the sample prayer [from _Steps to Personal Revival_] together every day, and I have been praying it together with a friend for five months. Not only are things improving for us personally, but also in our homes, relationships, marriages, in spiritual areas, in the church, but not in a way that creates big conflicts. Rather, it happens in a quiet, natural manner. We are amazed and see therein God’s refining process, which makes life easier in a way, since we feel God’s presence more and more.”
+
+Do you see how this testimony shows that “Christ in us” through the Holy Spirit has positive effects on our togetherness?
+
+The report continues: “Recently a sister told me: ‘This is how I always imagined leading a good and pleasing life to God, but there were too many difficulties in the way. Finally, my dream has come true. And this is only the beginning!’” <sup>137</sup> This sister found attractive faith.
+
+**3. To bear witness to Jesus**. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, KJV) Jesus told the disciples that they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses.
+
+When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will experience spiritual revival and reformation. **What is revival?** Dennis Smith explains: “It is a time when the life of a Christian is renewed in Jesus. Joy about salvation fills his heart; a desire for the salvation of others starts to burn in him. This means that as revived Christians we long for the salvation of other people.” <sup>138</sup>
+
+Ellen White says: “Without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner won to Christ. When His disciples are connected with Christ, when the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, even the poorest and most ignorant of them will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them the channel for the outworking of the highest influence in the universe.” <sup>139</sup>
+
+The well-known evangelist and revival preacher R. A. Torrey relates a remarkable experience. A very competent female pastoral aid spoke with a man about his salvation for two hours and accomplished nothing. So she asked Torrey to talk to him. After ten minutes the man made a positive decision. The woman was speechless, since Torrey had used the same Bible texts as she had. Torrey commented as follows: “Since she had accomplished nothing, he [Dr.Torrey] was afraid that would happen to him too. Therefore he asked God in his helplessness to have the Holy Spirit do this work—and He did it.” <sup>140</sup>
+
+### Revival brings about mission
+
+“Till they receive the Holy Spirit, they cannot bear this message with power. Till they receive the Spirit, they cannot realize what God can do through them.”<sup>141</sup> God has planned that people will be attracted to our personal behavior and our loving unity. This is especially true of our children, youth, and family members, but also of our relatives, acquaintances, neighbors, colleagues, friends, and strangers we meet. People become responsive to our faith, and God can direct people to us.
+
+The following words show us what a strong influence our behavior can have: “If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one.” <sup>142</sup>
+
+But the Holy Spirit is indispensable for this. Ellen White calls pastors’ attention to the following: “They [church members] are not able to present the great and glorious truths of God’s Holy Word that would convict and convert souls through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The power of God awaits their demand and reception.” <sup>143</sup>
+
+How can spiritual awakening be retained?
+
+In 1893, a revival took place in Adventist institutions in Battle Creek, Michigan, but the revival soon petered out. God gave Ellen White insight into the cause. She said: “Had all the many souls, then enlightened, gone to work at once to impart to others that which God had given to them for that very purpose, more light would have been given, more power bestowed.” <sup>144</sup>
+
+We receive more light and more strength by spreading the gospel. When we care for other people, then it has valuable repercussions in our own life. This is why it is extremely important to encourage people to intercede for unreached individuals during the 40 days of worship.<sup>145</sup>
+
+### Where should our mission begin?
+
+Jesus told His disciples where they should start their mission: they should start where they were. For us, this means we should start at home and where people know us. Why did Jesus plan it this way? Where people know us, our testimony will be accepted if it is accompanied by corresponding loving behavior. The testimony of our life has to correspond with the testimony of our mouth. It can be seen at home if we are really filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+### What importance does Jesus’ new commandment have?
+
+Jesus says in John 13:34,35: “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (KJV)
+
+A Spirit-filled life leads to a further important fruit of the Spirit: meekness. Meekness is Jesus’ mind-set and is essential for good togetherness. This is the reason why Jesus gave the new commandment immediately after He washed His disciples’ feet. The foot washing was a representation of meekness.
+
+Meekness is not a characteristic of the natural man. However, we can daily ask God for meekness by claiming promises such as Micah 6:8.
+
+Meekness is a very important characteristic for the Spirit-filled person, but it is usually completely misjudged. In the new commandment, Jesus speaks about loving one another “as I have loved you.” Jesus loves us with divine love. We call this kind of love agape, the Greek word for divine love. We can only have this love if we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, “... the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom 5:5 NKJV) “Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another—this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent power. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found.” <sup>146</sup>
+
+So the presence of meekness is a question of whether Jesus is on the “throne” of our heart. Do we allow Him to govern everything in our life? Have we completely surrendered our lives to Him? Do we daily confirm this?
+
+### What about me?
+
+Do I have attractive faith? Does Jesus live in my heart through the Holy Spirit? If yes, then I need to care for and grow in this attractive faith. But if I realize that I don’t have attractive faith yet, then I definitely need to confront this important question.
+
+There are helpful aids in finding this attractive faith (for those, who don’t have it yet) and for caring for this faith (for those, who already have it) in my booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_ and in the book by Dennis Smith 40 Days – Devotionals and Prayers in Preparation of the Second Coming of the Lord. These two books complement each other in an invaluable way. I can only recommend with my whole heart that you read these books—yes, even more than one time.
+
+### How can our personal lack of the Holy Spirit have an impact on other people?
+
+Without Jesus in us through the Holy Spirit, we are carnal Christians (see 1 Cor 3:1–3; Rom 8:1–17; Gal 5:16ff). We are not saved in this condition (Rom 8:9). We are living by our own human abilities and powers. The results are that our family and children will probably also be carnal Christians, with all the regrettable consequences. <sup>147</sup> Let’s keep in mind that the love of God can only be in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Ellen White says, “Those who have never experienced the tender, winning love of Christ cannot lead others to the fountain of life. His love in the heart is a constraining power, which leads men to reveal Him in the conversation, in the tender, pitiful spirit, in the uplifting of the lives of those with whom they associate.” <sup>148</sup>
+
+When Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit, then He will enable us to witness for God in a completely natural manner. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matt 12:34, KJV)
+
+### How valuable is attractive faith?
+
+We can see how valuable this attractive faith is when we look at Christians who suffered disadvantages, persecution, loss of possessions, or martyrdom rather than give up this faith. What made them so resilient under these bitter hardships? While we see proof that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, martyrs cannot tell us how they felt in their mortal agony. However, the papal report on the death of Hus and Jerome at the stake in Constance gives us an important clue. If somebody burns, he can only shriek. But these two men sang hymns of praise. Such a thing is only possible with God’s help. They had true joy in spite of their pain. “Wherever His Spirit reigns, there peace abides. And there will be joy also.” <sup>149</sup>
+
+The Huguenot family of Durant in France in the eighteenth century is an impressive example. The Durants were persecuted by the church because of their biblical faith. The father spent fourteen years in prison before he was pardoned. The mother died in prison. Their son Pierre—a zealous preacher—was executed. Their daughter Marie was held captive in a tower together with other women. She would have been released if she had revoked her faith, but she did not do that. In 1768, she was released after thirty-eight years of imprisonment. For Marie Durant, biblical faith was an attractive faith that she could not give up. <sup>150</sup>
+
+### Examples of great missionary impact
+
+Daniel and his friends were willing to accept disadvantages when they asked for a different diet. And what did God do? He blessed their obedience. They were more handsome, healthier, and more intelligent than the others. They received high positions. We know the report about Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace and about Daniel’s night in the lions’ den. Their faith was more important to them than their lives. And what was the result? Two world kingdoms were able to hear their testimony in word and deed about the true God. Their example had a large impact on mission work.
+
+The same is true of Joseph in Egypt. He refused to commit adultery. Because of Potiphar’s wife’s slander, he was sent to prison. But God used his loyalty to let a whole world empire know about the true God.
+
+Remember the young girl working as a slave in Naaman’s household? Her testimony in word and deed ultimately led to the conversion of this commander. I am convinced that he not only followed the living God with great joy, but that he also gave this young girl her freedom and personally took her home, along with many gifts.
+
+In Matthew 13:44–46, Jesus tells about a man who found a treasure in a field. This treasure was so valuable to him that he sold everything he possessed and purchased the field. He gave up everything for the kingdom of heaven—or as I have described it, attractive faith. Can we see how precious this faith is?
+
+### Final thoughts
+
+Ellen White says, “Those who abide in Jesus will be happy, cheerful, and joyful in God.” <sup>151</sup> Attractive faith already gives us a joyful, vibrant, victorious, and happy life and a well-founded hope for the kingdom of God. Even in difficult times, if we go through a dark valley, our faith will still be attractive through the presence of God.
+
+Through attractive faith we can contribute to a good togetherness, and thus other people’s interest will be kindled in our faith.
+
+May God help us fully understand the great importance of oneness! May He help us through the power of the Holy Spirit, with Christ in us, to grow to be like Christ for our own joy and blessing and also to attract our loved ones and fellow men. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh 8:10) “**If we do represent Christ, we shall make His service appear attractive, as it really is.**” <sup>152</sup>
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I wholeheartedly thank you that truly following Jesus brings the most exciting life. Please help me to stay in a close relationship with Jesus all my life. Also use my life to lead my loved ones and other people to Him.” Amen
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>134</sup> Luke 11:13: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (KJV).
+
+<sup>135</sup> Adult Bible Study Guide, November 21, 2012.
+
+<sup>136</sup> Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 233.
+
+<sup>137</sup> E-mail message sent to H. Haubeil on December 18, 2012.
+
+<sup>138</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days: Prayers and Devotions to Revive Your Experience With God, book 2, Day 6; p. 24.
+
+<sup>139</sup> Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, October 25; p. 307.
+
+<sup>140</sup> R. A. Torrey, Der Heilige Geist (Frankfurt/Main: 1966), S. 37, 38; a short summary.
+
+<sup>141</sup> Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, October 4; p. 286.
+
+<sup>142</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002), 9:189.
+
+<sup>143</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 175.
+
+<sup>144</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1; p. 129.
+
+<sup>145</sup> See Dennis Smith, 40 Days, books 1 and 2, Introduction.
+
+<sup>146</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 551.
+
+<sup>147</sup> See Helmut Haubeil, _Steps to Personal Revival_, pp. 36, 74, 76.
+
+<sup>148</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 550, 551.
+
+<sup>149</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 153.
+
+<sup>150</sup> Taken from Wikipedia, “Marie Durant.”
+
+<sup>151</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002), 4:626.
+
+<sup>152</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 116.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/05-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/05-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..eb7421595e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/05-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What are the ramifications of Christ living in us?`
+
+`2. What are fruit of the Spirit?`
+
+`3. What are gifts of the Spirit?`
+
+`4. What effects does revival have in our personal life? How does it influence our surroundings? How does it motivate us?`
+
+`5. What biblical examples do we have which show, through simple trust in God, that great things can happen?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] That the fruit of the Spirit will continually grow in you.
+- [ ] For the ability to recognize gifts of the Spirit and rightly use them.
+- [ ] For courage and joy to be a witness of Christ living in you—through your life, through your words and deeds, which don’t take place in your own strength, but rather arise from an attractive faith.
+- [ ] For joy in studying God’s Word, and for sober-mindedness and wisdom.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/05-testimony.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/05-testimony.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a8230e9f26
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/05-testimony.md
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+---
+title: Diary of Changes after Surrender
+---
+
+At the beginning of 2014, I kept asking myself, “Will Jesus say to me one day: ‘I do not know you’? Am I one of the foolish virgins?” The thought of this was unbearable since I wanted to receive eternal life from God, but due to various things in my life, I always had a guilty conscience and wasn’t always on the right track.
+
+Fortunately, I came across two books, _Steps to Personal Revival_ and Abide in Jesus. After reading them the first time, I realized that something had to change in my life. I read the booklets several times in order to really understand everything. In addition, I heard a testimony from a devout sister who had become a spiritual Christian just a few months earlier.
+
+Now I know with certainty that at the beginning of the year I was “carnal” in my thinking and I would have died, since Jesus would have had to say, “I do not know you.”
+
+Through my complete surrender to Jesus, God was able to completely change my life in only one month.
+
+Now I get up at 4:30 a.m. to study God’s Word. In my own power, this would have been inconceivable sleep was more important. I pray differently as one who is Spirit filled. I ask the Lord every day what He wants me to do that day. And God answers. I daily invite the Holy Spirit to live and work in my heart. I have clearer thoughts and dress in a more “feminine” way.
+
+Moreover, I don’t eat constantly anymore. That was impossible for me to stop in my own power. I can meet the daily demands much more peacefully, and the stress doesn’t tie my stomach up in knots. My husband also noticed changes in me after three weeks. He said, “You aren’t as sharptongued anymore.”
+
+When studying the Bible, I suddenly had so many questions which I had never experienced before. Now I want to dig deeper. Previously, the Holy Spirit had only occasionally led me to give a testimony. Now it happens daily. I don’t have to prepare a speech. God gives me the right words because only He knows the person I am speaking with. Although I sin at times, God gives me a clear awareness to see the sins. I can repent and change my ways.
+
+I have come to realize that I can accomplish nothing without Jesus and that I need Christ’s presence every step of the way. I have also realized that the opposite of pride (how good I am, how well I can do something) is humility, which shows us that without Jesus we can do absolutely nothing good.
+
+God also gave me the strength to stop drinking coffee. Previously this would have been unthinkable, because when I tried to quit drinking coffee I had horrible headaches for five days. These are severe withdrawal symptoms. This time I didn’t even think about what the consequences would be for me. I only knew that I didn’t want to do it anymore. Today, I have no more desire for it.
+
+I had a similar experience with meat. My family and I never wanted to abstain from eating meat. Today it is easy for me. I have no more desire for it. The turning point in my life was the great desire for eternal life and realizing that nothing else is more important than my Redeemer, Christ Jesus, no matter the consequences.
+
+Ezekiel 36:26,27 speaks the truth: Jesus will give us a new heart and a new spirit. He wants to make us into people who keep His commandments. For decades, I had struggled with different problems, but always in vain. I couldn’t overcome them myself. Jesus wanted to accomplish His will in me, and He only needed my willingness.
+
+Ellen White says that whoever tries to reach heaven with his own works by keeping the law, is trying an impossibility. This is exactly what I experienced for thirty-five years. Intellectually I agreed with the commandments, but I couldn’t keep them. Only Jesus can accomplish that good in me. He gives us the desire for good and healthy things, and He removes our desire for harmful things.
+
+Today I can confirm Romans 8:14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” According to this verse, I have to ask daily, hourly, constantly for the Holy Spirit to live and work in me because the devil doesn’t sleep.
+
+Jesus said in Matthew 10:37: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” I had always thought: that just doesn’t work. Now I know that when Jesus lives in my heart, then the great God of the whole universe works in me and through me and He can take care of my children and family much better than I ever could. Only God is all-powerful and all-knowing. With confidence I can place my life in His hands every day, and He will do everything right, according to His wisdom and His plan. M. M.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/info.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/info.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e9f47fa9a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/05-what-changes-in-us-make-us-witnesses/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: What changes in uns make us witnesses? How does revival generate mission?
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/section.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/section.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b30b3904a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/05-attractive-faith-through-jesus/section.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 5: Attractive Faith Through Jesus"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/06-appendix/06-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/06-appendix/06-appendix.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..33ceb6471b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/06-appendix/06-appendix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: Recommendation For Further Study
+---
+
+### Recommendation For Further Study
+
+An important suggestion: Please read this booklet several times. Educational research has shown that it is necessary to read or hear a vital topic for our lives six to ten times before we can thoroughly understand it. Give it a try. The results will convince you. When I reread a particular booklet several times, I experienced for the first time in my life a fulfillment by the Holy Spirit. I have received many grateful and enthusiastic testimonies about growing in a Spirit-filled life with Jesus. Almost all of them were from readers who intensively reread the booklet multiple times
+
+### New experiences in Spirit-filled life
+
+Our dear Lord Jesus said, “‘He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the [Holy] Spirit.” (John 7:38,39)
+
+**I have a request for you**: When you have experiences through your surrender to Jesus and living in the Holy Spirit, then I would really appreciate it if you could send a short report to me, Helmut Haubeil. It is very valuable if we can share experiences on www.steps-to-personal-revival.info testimonies -, in papers and newsletters. As a rule, we only mention the initials of the names. Please remember that your experience will strengthen others to begin or continue to grow in a Spirit-filled walk in commitment to Jesus Christ, our wonderful and soon-coming Savior.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/06-appendix/info.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/06-appendix/info.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..38e53c1b33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/06-appendix/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Appendix
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/section.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/section.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..01f9805e13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/06-appendix/section.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+title: Appendix
+isRoot: true
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/info.yml b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/info.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e9cf7998b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+title: Abide in Jesus
+kind: book
+subtitle: How do you do that?
+primaryColor: '#0A6E57'
+primaryColorDark: '#035A46'
+credits:
+  - name: Author
+    value: Helmut Haubeil
+covers:
+  landscape: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/assets/cover-landscape.png
+  square: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/assets/cover-square.png
+  portrait: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/assets/cover.png
+  splash: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/abide-in-jesus/assets/splash.png
diff --git a/src/en/devo/feed.yml b/src/en/devo/feed.yml
index fe31141973..0d603ea811 100644
--- a/src/en/devo/feed.yml
+++ b/src/en/devo/feed.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,13 @@
     view: tile
     resources:
       - en-devo-bhp-*
+  - group: Steps to Personal Revival
+    view: folio
+    resources:
+      - en-devo-steps-to-personal-revival
+      - en-devo-abide-in-jesus
+      - en-devo-spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus
+      - en-devo-from-lack-to-abundance
   - group: Other resources
     view: folio
     resources:
diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/00-foreward/00-foreward.md b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/00-foreward/00-foreward.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4b0c51a007
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/00-foreward/00-foreward.md
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+title: Something is Missing
+---
+
+Neal C. Wilson, President of the General Conference from 1979-1990:
+
+I have to admit that in spite of the progress and victory in so many areas, that I am increasingly convinced that something is missing. We don’t conform enough to God’s wonderful expectations for each of us personally and collectively as a church. (Adventist Review, Jan. 4, 1990, p. 2)
+
+Neal C. Wilson continues and emphasizes that he believes that what is missing is being filled with the Holy Spirit. (Dennis Smith, Spirit Baptism & Evangelism, p. 4)
+
+A word to leaders and pastors:
+
+“And He Himself [Christ] gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11) Through God’s grace and calling particular importance is laid on us for building up the church. I am very happy that this booklet contains testimonies from leaders and pastors about their experiences with the Holy Spirit. As probably one of the oldest, active pastors, I would like to encourage my colleagues to progress regarding the abundance of the Holy Spirit. A great responsibility was laid on us at our ordination: “I have made you a watchman.” (Ezekiel 33 and 34) I am thankful that the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of might” (Isaiah 11:2), who together with Christ carries us. But I also think of the admonition: “The Lord will not allow His work to be hindered, even though the workmen may prove unworthy. God has men in reserve ...” (E. G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 271.3) We want to move forward with God “... who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/00-foreward/info.yml b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/00-foreward/info.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e37ad9e114
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/00-foreward/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Something is Missing
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/01-recognizing-the-wealth.md b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/01-recognizing-the-wealth.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..aa4aeb6cfc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/01-recognizing-the-wealth.md
@@ -0,0 +1,189 @@
+---
+title: "Recognizing The Wealth: Closing the crucial gap"
+---
+
+### Recognizing the Wealth
+
+Mr. Yates had a sheep farm, which barely earned enough for him to pay his mortgage. One day, someone from an oil drilling company came and asked for permission to do some test drilling on his land. At the depth of 365 meters an enormous oil deposit was found. Mr. Yates was a multi-millionaire and didn’t know it.
+
+Our wealth is a new and fulfilled life here and eternal life in glory through a complete surrender to Jesus Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit. We can only receive this life through our fundamental relationship with Jesus and the resulting relationship with the Holy Spirit. These are the key factors, the basic elements of biblical-Christian faith. Only through these do we receive new and eternal life. Everything else in faith is secondary and can give us no life. More about this later.
+
+Can the same thing happen to us like Mr. Yates, when we don’t know about or discern God’s offer of life?
+
+“The spiritual life of many Christians is at an alarmingly low level. It doesn’t reflect any of the wealth, power or glory that the Spirit wants to give them. The fullness of the Spirit is here, but we don’t live from His fullness. But God wants us to be ‘filled with all the fullness of God’ (Ephesians 3:19 NKJV). What can we do to keep pace with the Holy Spirit?” <sup>1</sup>
+
+#### Closing the Gaps
+
+To what end did God call the Seventh-Day-Adventists?
+
+“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” (Isaiah 58:12 NIV)
+
+Our wonderful God has called us out of His mercy to repair or close the gap of the ‘Sabbath’. It is important to note that the text speaks about walls in the plural form. Haven’t we also been called to close the greatest gap today – the lack of the Holy Spirit? Yes, we have this duty: “Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times.” (The Great Controversy, p. 464.1)
+
+What distinguished the apostolic times? Every individual as well as the church lived and served through the wisdom, leading and power of the Holy Spirit.
+
+If someone would like to have more information about this perceptible and grave gap, then I would recommend reading the books noted in the footnote (see footnote <sup>2</sup>)
+
+#### The Lack of the Holy Spirit has Disastrous Consequences
+
+Some important substances are “vital”. If there is a deficiency, then every available good and worthwhile thing is of no avail. This essential substance has to be supplied. The Bible points out such a severe deficiency of a “vital substance” in Romans 8:9:
+
+“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” (NKJV)
+
+Without the Holy Spirit we are not saved. During spiritual rebirth He is the one who gives us new life (Titus 3:5 “... through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” NKJV). Jesus said in John 3:3-8 NKJV: “Unless one is born of water [a symbol for baptism about our surrender to Jesus] and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”; exactly the same if someone doesn’t remain in the new life (John 15:4-6). Why were the foolish virgins lost? They had a lack of the Holy Spirit. They had some Holy Spirit, because their lamps burned for a time. But it was insufficient. Jesus told them: “I do not know you.” (Matthew 25:1-13 NKJV)
+
+What should we do, when we realize that we have a noticeable and severe deficiency? The approach God wants is in Acts 17:11 NKJV: “... they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Do you want to receive this message with all readiness and verify it in the Bible?
+
+#### How can we receive the wealth and close the gaps?
+
+Jesus gives us the answer: By asking for the Holy Spirit. Jesus was asked: “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1 NKJV) His prayer lesson is in Luke 11:113. What did He emphasize? Unmistakably: the word **“ask”**. It is mentioned 18 times.
+
+Part 1 – verses 2-4: The Lord’s Prayer
+
+Part 2 – verses 5-8: A Friend Comes at Midnight
+
+He received visitors at midnight and realizes: I don’t have anything to offer them. So, he hurries to his neighbor and persistently presses him until he gets some bread. Jesus is teaching intense pleas here. **Asking until we receive.** Our daily requests should be made by praying with promises (Luke 11:13; Luke 9:23; 2 Peter 1:3-4), so that we have the daily assurance that we have received what we have prayed for. At the beginning of our daily prayer of surrender and asking for the Holy Spirit we need persistency and perseverance. Then, Jesus connects this parable with the central statement “I have nothing” to an unparalleled call:
+
+Part 3 – verses 9-13: Ask for the Holy Spirit
+
+“So I say to you, **ASK**, and it will be given to you; **SEEK**, and you will find; **KNOCK**, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who **ASKS** receives, and he who SEEKS finds, and to him who **KNOCKS** it will be opened. If a son **ASKS** for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he **ASKS** for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he **ASKS** for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, **how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ASK Him!**” (NKJV) (In Greek – continuously asking)
+
+Jesus emphasizes asking 6 times in His prayer lesson. The last “ask” is in the continuous tense in Greek. This means: not only asking once, but rather continually asking. Jesus gave us a personal example of this: He prayed daily to receive the Holy Spirit. We can be certain every day that our request for the Holy Spirit has been fulfilled by faith – if we daily live in complete surrender to Jesus and by praying with promises to receive the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13; Luke 9:23; 2 Peter 1:4). Another assurance that we have received the Holy Spirit is found in the following promise of God:
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15 NKJV)
+
+#### Receiving by Faith – How does that work?
+
+Prayers, which are based on spiritual promises, are definitely answered for each believer (1 John 5:14-15; 2 Peter 1:4). How this takes place became clear to me after praying with people, who wanted to be free from tobacco / alcohol. They were **free from the moment they prayed by faith for it** (John 8:36 – in more detail in Letter to Andrew No. 5 www.steps-to-personal-revival.info ). But they didn’t notice anything at all at that moment. They were free “by faith” – trusting that God would keep His word. After this prayer, they no longer prayed for deliverance and yet after a few hours, they noticed that they no longer craved their addictive substance. At this time, they experienced it in practice and “had the petition”. This shows that after they “received by faith”, God worked quietly in them and removed the problem. At some point they then noticed it.
+
+When we ask for the Holy Spirit and trust that God will keep His promise, we immediately receive Him “by faith”. We trust God’s assurance. After this prayer, the Holy Spirit works in us. We notice the answer immediately with some requests, others we notice during the course of the day. (I often don’t notice anything special, but rather only that everything went well.) With other requests, such as reformation of my character, I won’t notice until some weeks later. In any case, we can know that our prayers of faith have already been answered as soon as we prayed. Then the Lord works through His Spirit in us and for us. At the right time – God’s time – we will notice it in a very practical way.
+
+In Luke 11:9-13 Jesus not only emphasizes that asking is extremely urgent, but also expects us to do this continuously. He knew: “the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV)
+
+Through His imploring plea, He definitely wants to awaken our yearning for the Holy Spirit. His loving and urgent invitation shows us that according to His knowledge something significant is missing, if we don’t continually or daily ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes, we absolutely need the Holy Spirit so that we can be born again Christians and so we can lead a new life with Jesus. Jesus doesn’t only want us to sporadically receive the rich blessings of the Holy Spirit, but by perseveringly asking daily we can experience it constantly, always, without ceasing!
+
+The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ greatest gift, which brings all the other gifts in its train. This gift was Jesus’ crowning present to His disciples and was clear proof of His love. I think we can easily understand that **no one would resent such a valuable gift. It is only given to those, who express a great desire for this gift – through earnest prayer – and appreciate it**. And then something wonderful happens, because a continuous life in the Holy Spirit is very attractive and eventful. (For more particulars about praying with promises and how it works see: Steps to Personal Revival, chapter 5.)
+
+#### Jesus’ Example
+
+After Jesus’ baptism, He prayed for the Holy Spirit: “... it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended ... upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:21-22 NKJV)
+
+Jesus wanted to live and serve through the Holy Spirit.
+
+Ellen G. White said: “Morning by morning he communicated with his Father in heaven, receiving from him daily a fresh baptism [filling] of the Holy Spirit.” (The Signs of the Times, Nov. 21, 1895, par. 3) Jesus is our example. We have to ask ourselves: When even Jesus needed the Holy Spirit daily, how much more urgently do I need Him?
+
+Jesus said about the purpose of His coming: “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:4950 NKJV) Here Jesus shows us: The purpose of His coming to earth was to kindle the fire of the Holy Spirit. However, this wouldn’t take place until after His death. We all know that this took place after His ascension on the day of Pentecost. Jesus completed His work of salvation in 3 1⁄2 years and the Holy Spirit has been preserving, fostering and completing this work in Jesus’ place for the past 2,000 years. We can clearly see that not only is our fundamental relationship with Jesus necessary, but also our relationship with the Holy Spirit. This should empower the “renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5 NKJV) and to carry the gospel to the whole world. Ellen G. White said: “What we need is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Without this, we are no more fitted to go forth to the world than were the disciples after the crucifixion of their Lord.” (The Review and Herald, Feb. 18, 1890, par. 13)
+
+Jesus’ last “word” on this earth was: “‘But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses ...’ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:8-9 NKJV)
+
+His last word from heaven to Laodicea is: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:22 NKJV)
+
+I think we all agree: We want to be filled with His grace and His Spirit as His witnesses and listen to Him. Without surrendering to Christ, the Holy Spirit can only work on us for conversion.
+
+Who answers our request for the Holy Spirit?
+
+“... Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” (John 1:33 NKJV) This means that Jesus is the only one, who can baptize (fill) us with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is necessary to first surrender our lives to Jesus so that we can receive the Holy Spirit.
+
+#### Ellen G. White and Pastors
+
+She made an earnest appeal to pastors, because they had **neglected** to teach and preach about **asking for the Holy Spirit**.
+
+She showed that pastors have for the most part neglected that which is crucial for the church. She wrote under this heading the following: “The Power of the Holy Spirit Awaits Our Demand and Reception.” An excerpt:
+
+“Just prior to His leaving His disciples for the heavenly courts, Jesus encouraged them with the promise of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs as much to us as it did to them ... **In consequence of this silence upon this most important theme, what promise do we know less about by its practical fulfillment than this rich promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit, whereby efficiency is to be given to all our spiritual labor?** The promise of the Holy Spirit is casually brought into our discourses, is incidentally touched upon, and that is all. Prophecies have been dwelt upon, doctrines have been expounded; but that which is essential to the church in order that they may grow in spiritual strength and efficiency, in order that the preaching may carry conviction with it, and souls be converted to God, **has been largely left out of ministerial effort**. This subject has been set aside, as if some time in the future would be given to its consideration ... Through the cunning devices of the enemy the minds of God’s people seem to be incapable of comprehending and appropriating the promises of God.” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 174.1-2)
+
+We have to ask ourselves: Has it changed in the meantime? What is the situation like today? Do we preach about the Holy Spirit, do we teach about it in Bible classes and baptismal classes?
+
+**Arthur G. Daniells** was a pastor, evangelist, missionary (for 14 years), school founder, conference president and the longest acting president of the general conference (21 years). Three years after this he wrote:
+
+“Our Advent movement is indeed divine and will one day triumph gloriously; heaven has indeed appointed its organization, so that the individual departments work together like the wheels of a clock. Nevertheless, **they only work unsatisfactorily when the Holy Spirit is missing**, who would enable them to a greater effectiveness. Because these wheels are made up of men and women. God doesn’t baptize an organization, but rather men and women; **not until they have the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives**, can this machinery inexorably fulfill its purpose. **Each person has to experience this personally, before they can experience it together**. This is why we so desperately need God’s care!” <sup>3</sup> (Emphasis on author)
+
+#### A Competent Pastoral Leader 1999
+
+**Johannes Mager** was a leading pastor and evangelist in former East Germany. In 1974 he was called to be a docent for systematic theology at Friedensau (Doctor of Ministry, Andrews University, USA). After that, he was ministerial secretary of the Euro-African-Division, in Bern, Switzerland for 14 years (1981-1995) until his retirement; he remained a guest docent at Friedensau until 2003. He had a special interest in the work of the Holy Spirit and Sabbath theology. He wrote two books about the Holy Spirit. (Taken from the obituary released by the Friedensau Adventist University on May 14, 2019). He wrote:
+
+“Paul differentiates between spiritual and carnal Christians – between those, who are filled by the Spirit and those, who have given the Spirit no room in their lives (baptized by the Spirit, but not filled by the Spirit).
+
+This means for a pastor: I can have a well-grounded theological education, be well-versed in the original biblical languages and skillfully practice exegetical methods; I can have intellectually understood and accepted all the great truths of the Bible and be very familiar with the dogmatic theology of different centuries; I can be on a homiletical high and preach current and true-to-life sermons – and despite all my knowledge and talents not be filled with the Holy Spirit. Books, education, good technical equipment and even charisma can become a substitute for the lack of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Preaching sermons, praying publicly, organizing church life, preparing evangelistic programs, practicing pastoral care – I can learn all of this and also do all of this without the Holy Spirit. Ellen G. White expressed this dangerous possibility as follows: ‘The reason why there is so little of the Spirit of God manifested is that ministers learn to do without it.’ (1 T 383.3) As important as a well-grounded education and systematic continuing education is for a pastor, it is even more important for him to let himself be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.” <sup>4</sup>
+
+**Mark Finley**, July 4, 2005 to the General Conference Business Meeting:
+
+“The Adventist church desperately needs a revival. What can we do to contribute to this? ... **Can we move a world for God, when 50% of our church members don’t lead a meaningful spiritual life?** Something must be done, which surpasses our strength and possibilities, if Jesus’ great commission is to be fulfilled in the whole world. God Himself will have to sovereignly intervene.” <sup>5</sup>
+
+**Dwight Nelson**, 2005: “Our church has developed almost to the point of exhaustion admirable forms, plans and programs, but if we don’t finally admit our spiritual bankruptcy, which has befallen too many of us pastors and leaders, then we will never leave our pro forma Christian lives. The church of the 21st century, especially the western countries, desperately needs a reformation back to the original spirituality and piety.” <sup>6</sup>
+
+**Dennis Smith**: “I am not against plans, programs and methods. But I am afraid that we have often relied on these things to further God’s work. Plans, programs and methods will not complete God’s work. Great speakers, wonderful Christian concerts, satellite transmissions will not complete God’s work. God’s Spirit will complete the work. God’s Spirit, who speaks and serves through Spirit-filled men and women.” <sup>7</sup>
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “You will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by my spirit.” (Zechiariah 4:6 GNT)
+
+I didn’t start to study about the Holy Spirit until the fifth year of my ministry. I am thankful that I have received Him and have started to experience Him. However, I ask myself if in Jesus’ eyes I even had the right to be a pastor back then?
+
+I am glad about the change of thinking, which I have observed. The Northern Peru Union (about 220,000 members) planned the whole year of 2021 for revival. The first thing they did was hold a large pastor’s convention on revival.
+
+The Central Brazil Conference (290,000 members in and around Sao Paulo) held amongst other things a revival week in May 2021. The pastors spoke to their churches about revival every day. On Sabbath between 4 and 6 p.m. they closed the week together with a guest speaker via Zoom, Facebook and You Tube for the whole conference.
+
+**Prayer Movement for Revival in Brazil**
+
+Under the leadership of a pastor and his team in Brazil, as well as the cooperation of many pastors and leaders a prayer movement for revival was initiated in the fall of 2020. They meet online daily from 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. for prayer, to discuss revival topics and to share experiences and good news. The main things they studied were: Steps to Personal Revival and then the book Daring to Ask for More – Discover for yourself the keys to answered prayers (by Melody Mason). By God’s grace this group grew swiftly. When I was invited to speak to them on December 13, 2020, 3,000 people participated. I learned from a conference president that they had printed 16,000 copies of Steps to Personal Revival; later a union president informed me that they had printed 26,000 copies of Steps to Personal Revival and 25,000 copies of Abide in Jesus. I was connected with them over Zoom. The message was rerouted for the majority of the participants to Facebook and YouTube. The group is called “Sala 57”. This means that they meet in a virtual room from 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. Today, August 9, 2021, I received the news that the group has now grown to 10,000 daily visitors. They will soon start to study the book Abide in Jesus. We can only sincerely thank our Lord for this enormous blessing, for His grace and leadership and also for the daily effort of a team of pastors.
+
+To a great degree, it depends on the pastors if the Holy Spirit can work more powerfully in the churches. May the Lord especially help us pastors, so that He can work through us as is necessary in the time of the end.
+
+#### Our Losses due to a Lack of the Holy Spirit greatly Concern me
+
+Switzerland, August 14, 2011: On this day it became suddenly clear to me that we are losing many of our youth due to a lack of the Holy Spirit. This discovery shocked me – also in regards to my own family. Since then, I have especially delved into this important topic. In the last nine years I have received many personal letters from around the world. The writers share their experiences with the revival literature (for example: Steps to Personal Revival and the 40-Day books). As I read them, it becomes daily clearer to me, where the critical point of our problem lays. This problem includes our youth, but it goes far beyond that.
+
+#### Examples: What we are partially or completely missing because we aren’t filled with the Holy Spirit?
+
+- **Being filled with God’s love (agape)**: “... the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5 NKJV)
+- **Deliverance from the power of sin and sinful habits**: “For the law of the Spirit ... has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2 NKJV, see also Galatians 5:16 and 1 John 5:18)
+- **The fruit of the Spirit**: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)
+- **The gifts of the Spirit**: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ... wisdom ..., ... knowledge ..., ... faith ... , ... gifts of healings ..., ... working of miracles ..., ... prophecy ..., ... discerning of spirits ..., ... different kinds of tongues ..., the interpretation of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV)
+- **Greater knowledge of Jesus Christ**: “He will glorify me ...” (John 16:14 NKJV)
+- **Assurance of salvation**: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:16 NKJV)
+- **Inadequate understanding of God’s will**: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5 NKJV)
+- **We are missing intercession during prayer**: “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26 NKJV)
+- **The life of Jesus in us through the Holy Spirit determines if we are “one” as brothers and sisters or if we are only “nice” to each other** (John 17:20-23).
+- “... **spiritual strength and efficiency, ... preaching may carry conviction with it, and souls be converted to God, ... greater efficiency in spiritual work**.” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 174.1)
+- **Without the Holy Spirit there is no new life, which leads on to eternal life**. We want to pay at least a little attention here to this main loss: (In Steps to Personal Revival, chapter 4: What difference can we expect? 20 different areas are discussed and it lists what benefits we have with the Holy Spirit and what losses we have without Him.)
+
+**Have I been born again – do I live in a new life?**
+
+Jesus makes it categorically clear in John 3:1-8 that we cannot enter God’s kingdom without this new life, even if we were the best Bible experts in the world.
+
+With regard to the new life, every believer has three possibilities:
+
+- First: You have been born again and you have remained in this state – you have new life.
+- Second: You have been born again and have lost this new life, probably without even noticing it.
+- Third: You have not been born again and you don’t have new life.
+
+Is it important to know if I have been born again and have new life?
+
+Ellen G. White said: “...the most important knowledge to be gained is the experimental knowledge of what it means to be born again.” (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 64.3) What is experimental knowledge? In this case, it is the knowledge that we have gained from our experiences with God. Do you consistently have experiences with God, which show you that your life has been changed or is being changed?
+
+Do you live in complete surrender to Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit, so that God can turn towards you in His complete love, which leads you to continually have valuable experiences with Him?
+
+If we do not have this new life or are unsure if we have it, then we can receive it now through our radical surrender to Christ and start to live in the Holy Spirit. It is a dedication to eternal love. Jesus wants to be part of our life.
+
+We can see here that the critical factor in faith is our fundamental relationship with Jesus and the resulting relationship to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. As a result of this relationship, God effects new life in us.
+
+In closing: We want to ask our God to lead each of us to the personal insights, which we need. May He fill our lives and service for Him with power and joy.
+
+(In the booklet Abide in Jesus, chapter 2 deals with “Surrender to Jesus” and chapter 3 with “Jesus abiding in you”.)
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes, Lüneburg 1999, p. 108
+
+<sup>2</sup> Adventism’s Greatest Need – The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (2011) by Ron E. M. Clouzet – see p. 5 – and The Missing Power (2017) by Paulo Macena – see p. 5 – or also Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, Chapter 19 (TM 174) (1891) by E.G. White – a brief excerpt is also on p. 3.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Arthur G. Daniells, Christus unsere Gerechtigkeit, Hamburg 1962, p. 20 – bold sections added by author.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes, Lüneburg 1999, p. 102-103
+
+<sup>5</sup> Missionsbrief No. 34, Bad Aibling, March/April 2011, p. 3
+
+<sup>6</sup> Missionsbrief No. 34, Bad Aibling, March/April 2011, p. 3
+
+<sup>7</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days – Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming (R&H, 2009), p. 61
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/01-testimonies.md b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/01-testimonies.md
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/01-testimonies.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: Testimonies
+---
+
+**Experience of churches in Guadeloupe / Caribbean** – We bring the report about one church. The experience of the second church is also great.
+
+Our congregation had studied the booklet Steps to Personal Revival. Those who attended said they had wonderful experiences and how much the message changed their lives. The booklet had prepared us well for what a sister who had moved to France told us: You are supposed to perform the Ten Days of prayer and fasting according to the book of Dennis Smith: Ten days of prayer and devotions to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
+
+Unfortunately, not everyone felt the same desire. The church had experienced a lot in recent years and suffered from tensions and disappointments. She was cold, discouraged, quarreled and paralyzed. Sometimes you had the feeling that the message hit a concrete wall and did not reach the hearts. To our surprise, the community agreed to this proposal. Everything was organized quickly. The prayer meetings were scheduled for four o’clock in the morning. The parking lot was full every morning at four o’clock. The members began to sing songs and there was a warm spiritual atmosphere. Every morning, around 80 members (out of a total of 150) gathered for ten days. We were allowed to witness ten days before our eyes, as a church full of cold was filled with new love and how a church full of quarrels and tensions found to forgiveness and a new beginning. How a paralyzed church awakens and finds new life through the Spirit of God. The 10 days of prayer and fasting were so well received that they are now performed in this community at regular intervals.
+
+Pastor F. H. and B. H. #84 a
+
+**Son overcome addiction** – Can I get more brochures Steps to personal revival? My 14 year old son has begun to pray the Holy Spirit. He has become a different boy. He has overcome his addictions. He now lives a victorious life. We are so grateful to God as he used this little book in my son’s life.
+
+Pastor A. from Australia #77
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/info.yml b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/info.yml
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+++ b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/01-recognizing-the-wealth/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 1: Recognizing The Wealth"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/02-reasons-for-the-deficiency-consequences-and-the-solution/02-reasons-for-the-deficiency-consequences-and-the-solution.md b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/02-reasons-for-the-deficiency-consequences-and-the-solution/02-reasons-for-the-deficiency-consequences-and-the-solution.md
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+++ b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/02-reasons-for-the-deficiency-consequences-and-the-solution/02-reasons-for-the-deficiency-consequences-and-the-solution.md
@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+---
+title: "Reasons For The Deficiency, Consequences And The Solution"
+---
+
+### What are the fundamental reasons for this serious deficiency?
+
+We aren’t asking this question with the intention of accusing someone. No, we want to find out how an existing deficiency can be remedied and the serious gap can be closed (Isaiah 58:12).
+
+### Neglect of the Holy Spirit in teachings and proclamation
+
+Quotations from competent people on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology:
+
+**Prof. Emil Brunner**, Evangelical Reformed Theologian in Basel, Switzerland wrote that the Holy Spirit has “always more or less been the stepchild of theology.” <sup>8</sup>
+
+**D. Martin Lloyd-Jones**, leading evangelical theologian, pastor at Westminster, London: “... in the past and present no other object of biblical belief has been so neglected as the Holy Spirit ...” <sup>9</sup>
+
+**Wolfgang Trillhaas**, evangelical Theologian, professor of practical and systematic theology in Erlangen and Göttingen, stated that “the fear of misusing the authority of the Holy Spirit has become a dogmatic fear of the Holy Spirit. <sup>10</sup>
+
+**Johannes Mager**, was an Adventist university lecturer for systematic theology and was ministerial secretary for the Euro-African Division in Bern, Switzerland, died in 2019 and wrote with regards to Christian theology: “... the Holy Spirit has not been a predominant topic in theological publications. He led more of a life in the shadows.” So much for the teaching of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology. <sup>11</sup>
+
+### What development can we observe in our church?
+
+Ellen G. White explains how God sees and evaluates this, for example on page 13 of the article Ellen G. White and Pastors. Let’s continue:
+
+**Johannes Mager**, wrote about the development in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (here just the main points): “As Seventh-Day Adventists we look back on our own history and development regarding our understanding of the Holy Spirit. ... from the outset there was an article in 1872 about ‘Spiritual Gifts and Ministry’. Different charisms (gifts) had broken out in the young Advent movement, especially the gift of prophecy in the person of Ellen G. White. Therefore, a well-founded biblical position was necessary. **But it wasn’t until 1980, more than a hundred years later, that the Holy Spirit was given His rightful place** in the Fundamental Beliefs – article 5. Our present understanding of the Holy Spirit is expressed there. ... Justifiably, His work is emphasized and it speaks about the effects His works have. As important as the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for building the church, it is more important to know and experience the Holy Spirit personally and His work. Hence, we need to ask ourselves the question, how our lives can be filled by the Holy Spirit and how can our spiritual life can grow? Growth in our intellectual understanding of divine truth must go hand in hand with our growth in the Holy Spirit, in personal surrender and sanctification. Living in the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit enable us to follow Jesus.” <sup>12</sup>
+
+We will come back shortly to the consequences of this delay.
+
+Another 20 years later – starting around the year 2000 – many good books were published on the work of the Holy Spirit, for example:
+
+**Ellen G. White** wrote significantly more than 2,000 times about the Holy Spirit. The Lord worked mightily through her to show our church the richness of a life in the power of the Holy Spirit. A book was published for the first time in 1995 from her many references to the Holy Spirit: Ye Shall Receive Power, Review and Herald.
+
+When it was published in 1995, the Review and Herald wrote on the back cover of the book: “Almost 120 years ago the Adventist Church started to devote itself more to Jesus Christ and His righteousness. However, turning towards the Holy Spirit and His work seems to not have happened for many Adventists.” (Back cover of Ye Shall Receive Power, German version)
+
+**Dennis Smith**, a pastor in the USA, has been studying the doctrine of the Holy Spirit since 1999 and wrote a whole series of books on the topic, which have been translated into many languages. He clearly shows that we absolutely have to daily pray for the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus Himself did (more about this later).
+
+**Ron E.M. Clouzet**, ministerial secretary for the North Asian Pacific Division, wrote a book in 2011: Adventism’s Greatest Need – The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In the preface there are quotes from 17 leading Adventists, who all express that this is our great need. <sup>13</sup>
+
+**Helmut Haubeil** – In 2012 through the initiative of the German-Swiss Conference in Zürich, a series of my sermons were published in the book Steps to Personal Revival, which has since been translated into 50 languages and distributed in many countries.
+
+**Paulo Macena**, a leading pastor in the USA, wrote a book in 2017 with the title The Missing Power. The book was published under the copyright of the General Conference and has been distributed free of charge to the pastors in many countries. I received it as a gift in Vienna. It shows in explicit detail what the consequences of a lack of the Holy Spirit has for the church and the leaders of the church. Whoever is interested in the details should read this book (see footnote <sup>14</sup>).
+
+### Consequences in Christian Theology
+
+As we have already seen, Christian theology has neglected the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Since the Bible translators are theologians, I realized that they could also have had an inadequate understanding of the Holy Spirit. Did this become part of the different Bible translations? We don’t want to make any accusations against anyone, because some of the important passages were translated inaccurately – this wasn’t done on purpose. You will see that details were ignored here. However, these “small weaknesses” have unfortunately caused great losses in our lives. And this has had a negative impact on the salvation of many of our children and other individuals.
+
+A passenger plane in South America deviated by 3° from its course while landing. What is 3° compared to 360°? But because of this discrepancy the plane was smashed to pieces on the side of a mountain and all the passengers died. Small causes can have big effects.
+
+### Examples of Inaccurate Translations:
+
+In Ephesians 5:18 in the second part it says: “... be filled with the Spirit.” (NKJV) Johannes Mager says in his book Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (On the Trail of the Holy Spirit), p. 101, about this text:
+
+“In the Greek language this imperative is written in the present tense. This imperative present tense describes an event, which is continually repeated – in contrast to the imperative aorist, which refers to an isolated act. **Thus, according to this being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a onetime experience, but rather it is a recurring and ongoing process.** A Christian is not like a vessel, which is filled once and for all, but rather **has to constantly let itself be ‘refilled’**. So, the sentence could also be translated this way: **‘Let yourselves be continually and always refilled with the Spirit!’**”
+
+This isn’t discernable in the Bible translations. They say: “... be filled with the Spirit.” It isn’t clear that this is a process that has to be constantly repeated. (Emphasized author)
+
+In Luke 11:13 (NKJV) Jesus said: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” What wasn’t translated accurately in this text? In Greek the word “ask” is in the continuous tense, which means: continuously asking, daily asking. **This is also not apparent in the translation.**
+
+Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) says: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” We have the same problem here. The Greek uses the continuous tense here also. It shouldn’t say “walk in the Spirit”, but rather walk continually and constantly in the Holy Spirit. **This isn’t evident in this translation.**
+
+Acts 13:52 says: The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. See Frank Hasel's full quoe of Jan 30, 2017, on page 34.
+
+In Romans 8:14 NKJV is written: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God“. Dennis Smith writes: With the infilling of the Spirit the believer is led by the Spirit. Paul writes of the importance of this being a daily experience when he states this. Again the verb form in the Greek is continuous action. Paul is saying, “as many as are continuing to be led daily by the Spirit of God.” Hence, we must receive the Spirit everyday to be led by Him everyday. Claiming the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit must become one of the first things we do when we awake in the morning.“ <sup>15</sup> **This isn’t evident in this translation.**
+
+Acts 5:32: **_His Mission for Believers_**. The majority of texts concerning the Holy Spirit pertain to His relationship with God's people. His sanctifying influence leads to obedience (1 Peter 1:2), but no one continues to experience His abiding presence without meeting certain conditions. Peter said God has given the Spirit to those who continuously obey Him (Acts 5:32). Thus, believers are warned about resisting, grieving, and quenching the Spirit (Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
+
+(Seventh-day Adventists Believe © 1988 General Conference of Seventhday Adventists, R&H, p. 63)
+
+### What has developed from these weak points in the translation?
+
+You can’t learn from these translations that a constantly repeating and daily filling with the Holy Spirit is important. As a result, many assume that being filled with the Holy Spirit is a one-time occurrence. A number of Bible texts seem to support this viewpoint. Consequently, it results in a partially correct and partially false viewpoint.
+
+### The Half-true and Half-mistaken View about being filled with the Holy Spirit
+
+Acts 2:38 NKJV: “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
+
+This text confirms that we have received the Holy Spirit at our baptism, when it was carried out in complete surrender to Jesus.
+
+In John 14:17 Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit to come: “... for he dwells with you, and will be in you.”
+
+Based on these two biblical statements, we could definitely conclude that: **I received the Holy Spirit at my baptism and Jesus promised that He would stay in me**. Thus, the belief can arise that asking daily for the Holy Spirit is unnecessary. It could even be said that asking daily is overdoing it. I assume that most pastors and church members think this way.
+
+The texts, which I cited showing the unaccurate translation, don’t contradict the half-true and half-false view of asking for the Holy Spirit, but actually concur with it. **AS A RESULT, THIS PROBLEM COULDN’T EVEN BE NOTICED BY BIBLE READERS**. Might this have been a clever move by the evil one? But when we pay attention to the exact and correct translation, then we will discover a contradiction here: **If I were permanently filled with the Holy Spirit since my baptism, why should I daily ask for Him?**
+
+### The Solution to the Problem
+
+How can this apparent contradiction be solved?
+
+Ellen G. White commented:
+
+“**As in the natural, so in the spiritual world.** The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power; yet it is not sustained by a direct miracle, but through the use of blessings placed within our reach. **So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied**.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 284.2)
+
+### What does this mean in practice?
+
+First, let’s take a look at our natural life:
+
+We received this life at our birth and it was God’s intention that it remain
+
+in us for a lifetime. We are programmed for “daily”. We can’t eat ahead for the next days. In order to preserve our life, our strength and our health, we normally eat every day, we drink, sleep, exercise, etc. If for one day we eat only a little or nothing or eat something unhealthy or don’t get enough sleep, etc., we don’t die immediately. Life still remains in us. But we suffer a deficiency. If we continued to live in this manner, we could then get sick or die.
+
+Now, for our spiritual life: We received our spiritual life when we surrendered ourselves to Jesus, which should be evidenced with our baptism. The Lord gave us this spiritual life with the intention of it remaining in us for a lifetime. But it doesn’t automatically remain in us.
+
+Ellen G. White said: “So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 284.2)
+
+### What means have been provided for our spiritual life?
+
+We cannot stock up on the Holy Spirit. We should daily implement the two basic elements of spiritual life. We find them in being born of water (a symbol for surrendering ourselves to Jesus) and of the Spirit (John 3:1-8). Precisely these two elements are the condition for abiding in Jesus and for revival.
+
+“‘Abide in Me, and I in you.’” (John 15:4 NKJV) Abiding in Christ means:
+
+- A constant receiving of His Spirit
+- A life of unreserved surrender
+- To His service. (The Desire of Ages, p. 676.2)
+
+We should remember that belief in Jesus is much more than an intellectual and theoretical acceptance of a teaching. Belief means: out of love and trust we surrender our whole life to Jesus. In John 1:12 -13 “faith” is defined “as receiving Jesus” as Savior and Lord and “born ... of God”.
+
+If we want to maintain our spiritual life, then it is right to daily confirm or to renew our fundamental surrender to Jesus (Luke 9:23-26; 2 Corinthians 4:16). Moreover, it is important to daily ask in complete confidence to God to be filled with the Holy Spirit and it is best to do this using a promise (for example Luke 11:13, 2 Peter 1:4); so that we can have the assurance of receiving the Holy Spirit. **The Holy Spirit is vital to the existence of our spiritual life, since Christ lives in me through Him** (John 13:20; John 14:1618; Ephesians 3:16-17). He gives me delight in prayer and a desire for God’s word. Other important means are Bible study and prayer, giving witness of my faith, serving in love my family, church members, neighbors, friends and “enemies”. Also, active participation in church life and church services promotes our “spiritual health”. If I don’t do this, or only halfheartedly or only partially or only occasionally do it, then my spiritual life isn’t immediately “dead”. But we grieve the Holy Spirit with this kind of lifestyle. We are explicitly warned of this in Ephesians 4:30. If the Holy Spirit withdraws from us, then we will become spiritually weak and sick. We will become “foolish virgins”, who haven’t been filled or haven’t been filled enough with the Holy Spirit and we will not be admitted to the wedding. Then the Bible calls us “spiritually dead”, although we may still be very active for God in our own strength. This is the diagnosis that the church of Ephesus received in the first epistle of Jesus (Revelation 2:1-7). They were active and industrious, and yet they had lost their “first love” for Jesus – a symptom for a deficiency or loss of the Holy Spirit. Jesus warned that He would remove their lampstand from its place, if they weren’t willing to repent (Romans 5:5; Ephesians 3:16-17; Revelation 2:5; also Matthew 7:21-23).
+
+Johannes Mager explains:
+
+The fullness of the Holy Spirit, which we received at baptism, **can be lost** if we **do not hold on to it**. The process of being filled has to be repeated so that the Holy Spirit can occupy all areas of our life and so that our spiritual life doesn’t fade and wither away. Being filled with the Spirit doesn’t mean that we quantitatively have more of Him, but rather that the Spirit always has more of us. That is why Paul commanded all the believers (Ephesians 5:18) to continually be filled with the Spirit. This is the normal state of a Christian for him. **One baptism – but being filled many times**.” <sup>16</sup> (Emphasized author)
+
+### Our more Intensive Pursuit of the Holy Spirit Started around 1980
+
+What has resulted in the fact that we as a church have strongly turned towards the work of the Holy Spirit only since 1980?
+
+I think that we couldn’t even notice our deficit until then, since the lack of knowledge and the same circumstances existed before us. And if someone did notice it, then the question is if they could even identify the cause. I am thinking about the problem of the inaccurate Bible passage translations here. Furthermore, the question is if we have even gained this new knowledge and if we have, then are we open enough to verify this using the Bible.
+
+The opinion used to prevalently prevail that we were filled with the Holy Spirit for a lifetime at our baptism. Thus, the necessity of praying for the early rain wasn’t sufficiently discerned. This is also evident from the fact that the General Conference repeatedly made calls for prayer for the later rain. I remember this well, because I always took part in it. But Laodicean Christians first need the early rain.
+
+When we study Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins, then we have to conclude that about half of the church is affected by this deficit. The foolish virgins no doubt have a little of the Holy Spirit, because their lamps burned at the start. But they had too little oil: “... for our lamps are going out.” (Matthew 25:8 NKJV) They had a lack of the Holy Spirit. Hence, they had no part of Jesus, no personal relationship. Jesus didn’t “know” them and they were lost.
+
+### Are we devoting sufficient time to the main issue or are we by and large mostly concerned with minor matters?
+
+“The promise of the gift of the Spirit of God is left as a matter to be little considered by the church. It is not impressed upon the people ... Minor matters occupy the mind and soul ... Just as long as the church are satisfied with small things, they are disqualified to receive the great things of God.” (Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 10.3)
+
+Ellen G. White carefully shows us here that we are occupied with minor matters, because we have not devoted ourselves enough to the gift of the Holy Spirit. Naturally, we have to pay attention to many things. But is the main thing really the focus of everything we do? Do we devote proper attention to the main issue and everything else comes second?
+
+**Jesus unmistakably shows in John 3:1-8 and John 15:1-8 that without being born again and without remaining in this new life that we will neither have new life here nor have the eternal life to come.**
+
+And this has to do with a life in complete and continual surrender to Christ and continually being filled with the Holy Spirit. There is no other way we can receive new life. This means that this is the main issue after all.
+
+**Doesn’t this clearly show that we generally don’t devote enough time to the main issue? Isn’t it clear here that we are predominantly occupied with minor matters?**
+
+When the main issue is clear, then the “minor matters” are given a new meaning. Many things will increase in meaning, while others will become less important. Maybe our decisions are based on what we think we know God wants from us, instead of taking heed to His directives for our life. The words of Joshua in Joshua 1:7-9 and the closing words of the Bible in Revelation 22:18-19 still apply today how we follow Jesus and how we deal with God’s word.
+
+### Who decides?
+
+Are we doing it like Joshua did with the Gibeonites? “They did not ask the counsel of the Lord.” (Joshua 9:14 NKJV) The result: they were fooled! Or are we doing it like David: David inquired of the Lord and He answered him. (Four times in one situation: 1 Samuel 23:2.4.10.12) More information on how we can know God’s will is in the footnote. <sup>17</sup>
+
+### Our God continually Emphasizes the Main Issue: The Necessity of being in a New Life
+
+The new life is portrayed with several different expressions: Examples:
+
+- born again (John 3:3)
+- born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5)
+- born of the Spirit (John 3:6)
+- born of the Spirit (John 3:8)
+- in Christ, in Him (170 x in the N. T.)
+- born of God (1 John 5:4,18)
+- have eternal life (1 John 5:13)
+- partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)
+- abide in Him (John 15:4-7)
+- believes the Son (John 3:36)
+- he who does the truth (John 3:21)
+- who overcomes or conquers (7 x in Revelation 2 and 3, Romans 8:37)
+- sow to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8)
+- believes in Him (John 3:14-18)
+- by grace saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
+
+I am convinced that there are still more expressions, which show us the necessity of living in a new life. All these texts show us by what means we are saved. It is important that we consider all these statements and pay heed to their correlations. The expression most used today is definitely: we are saved by faith. Unfortunately, this term has been watered-down a lot. I once made a search in the internet for “faith according to the Bible” and a very clear answer came: to entrust oneself to someone, to connect your existence to someone, to depend on someone, to be faithful to someone. It is a matter of entrusting yourself to Jesus, connecting your existence to Jesus, depending on Jesus and being faithful to Jesus. We only believe in Jesus, even though the others expressions do apply, for example, when I am born of the Spirit, abide in Christ, live in a new life, am obedient to the Son, do the truth, etc.
+
+### Why do we have a personal deficiency?
+
+Jesus emphasizes in His loving and urgent call using different words ten times to show that we should continually ask for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:913). Why do we have a deficiency?
+
+What does God word say in James 4:2 (NKJV)?
+
+“You ... do not have ... because you do not ask.” Verse 3 (NIV): “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives ...” (without complete surrender to Christ). This is certainly the main reason for the deficiency.
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>8</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), cover
+
+<sup>9</sup> D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, Vollmacht, Telos-Taschenbuch No. 385 (Marburg 1984), p. 72
+
+<sup>10</sup> Wolfgang Trillhaas, Dogmatik, 3. Auflage (Berlin 1972), p. 408
+
+<sup>11</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), p. 9
+
+<sup>12</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), p. 10, 11, 13
+
+<sup>13</sup> Ron E.M. Clouzet, Adventism’s Greatest Need – The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, (PPPA 2011), What Readers are Saying
+
+<sup>14</sup> Paulo Macena, The Missing Power, (PPPA 2017) 167 pages. Please send all inquiries to Paulo Macena: pmacena@icloud.com www.themissingpower.com.
+
+<sup>15</sup> D. Smith, 10 Days – Prayers and Devotions to experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, p. 37
+
+<sup>16</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg 1999), p. 101-102
+
+<sup>17</sup> www.steps-to-personal-revival.info – right column – video sermons with Helmut Haubeil on Steps to Personal Revival, No 4: How can I know the will of my God for my personal decisions?
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+---
+title: Testimonies
+---
+
+#### What Do Leaders, Pastors And Theologians Say?
+
+**A gift from heaven** – Your work on Steps to Personal Revival is really a gift from heaven – first to you and through you to all the readers. Therefore, I have first thanked the Lord and now you. My heartfelt thanks for this! Although, several very practical and spiritually deep books have been published in the church recently, Steps to Personal Revival is extraordinary. The way to being filled with the Holy Spirit is portrayed in a compact and yet quite detailed manner. Whoever reads it cannot get around making a spiritual inventory and making a decision.
+
+H. H. #01
+
+**A converted pastor** – First of all, thanks for writing the book Steps to Personal Revival. I just finished reading it and recording it as an audiobook, which has given me a completely new perception of what it means to be a Christian, a leader and a pastor. I have even come to the conclusion that the way I lived made me part of the group of the five foolish virgins. I cried for hours and had a sleepless night. It was painful, but now I have such assurance and a great blessing that the Holy Spirit has filled my heart. I wish I could explain what a miracle it is for me. As when Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem and cleansed it, I realized that God’s Spirit cleansed my spirit in one night with His presence from certain thoughts and feelings, which it would have taken me years to do myself.
+
+I noticed that there wasn’t a Spanish version of the audiobook. That is why I read it from the screen from the PDF and recorded it so that anyone can listen to it while reading it. It is very powerful and doubles the blessing, because it is easier to memorize the concepts and ideas. It is available in YouTube. Thank you! I will see you in heaven.
+
+N. C. a converted pastor – from USA. #151
+
+**University president** – for anyone interested: In July 2018 I was blessed to receive an English copy of the book Steps to Personal Revival while attending a ministerial meeting in the USA. I began to read it and on my return to Colombia I felt compelled to share with colleagues and bothers from the Adventist University Corporation, where I served as rector, some of the great truths about the person and the work of the Holy Spirit that are biblically documented in the aforementioned book. Last year (2020) I had the joy of receiving several copies of this book in Spanish ... I am pleased to record the great spiritual benefits that my family and I have obtained from reading it. This timely reflection on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and in the church have been an inspiration to me for the elaboration of sermons and reflections presented in various congregations and prayer groups. We shared the book with several theology students at the university and they have informed me of several mornings of study, prayer and witness involving students and teachers, which have spiritually enriched the lives of the participants. I believe that this book should be read and reread by all of us, who are part of the church in this solemn time in the history of the world, when under the power of the Spirit, each inhabitant of planet earth must know the wonderful love of God and the soon return of Jesus.
+
+Dr. Abraham A. Acosta Bustillo, June 16, 2021 #162
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+title: "Chapter 2: Reasons For The Deficiency, Consequences And The Solution"
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+---
+title: "A Further Overlooked Factor: Daily"
+---
+
+Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 9:23-25 (NKJV) about discipleship:
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross **DAILY**, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save **his** life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?’”
+
+Jesus speaks here about our discipleship: “If anyone desire to come after Me ...” He shows us that it has to do with a fundamental surrender of our life to Him and a **daily** renewal or affirmation. “If anyone desire to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross **DAILY**, and follow Me.” To deny yourself means to reject **SELF** and joyfully and voluntarily submit ourselves to Jesus in everything. (“... whoever loses **his** life for My sake ...”) Taking up his cross can mean the same thing. It can also mean being willing to accept difficulties for the sake of faith.
+
+Jesus advocated daily discipleship. I have the impression that we often don’t realize in regards to our spiritual life that we are inherently programmed for **daily**. Our whole lives are shaped by the rhythm of a day with 24 hours. We eat daily, drink daily, exercise daily, sleep daily, etc. It follows that the Bible says the following about our inner man:
+
+“... the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
+
+(2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV)
+
+32 CHAPTER 3 A FURTHER OVERLOOKED FACTOR: DAILY
+
+The inward man is also programmed for this daily rhythm. Paul said about himself: “... I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NKJV) This then means that he experienced a daily renewal with God’s help. Who programmed us with this rhythm anyway? Jesus, our creator and redeemer, programmed us for daily.
+
+What did Jesus personally do? Ellen G. White says:
+
+“Morning by morning he communicated with his Father in heaven, receiving from him daily a fresh baptism [infilling] of the Holy Spirit.” (The Signs of the Times, Nov. 21, 1895, par. 3) Jesus is our example. We have to ask ourselves: When even Jesus needed the Holy Spirit every day, how much more desperately do I need Him?
+
+Jesus shows us in the parable of the vine and branches in John 15:1-8 that we need an uninterrupted connection with Him. After Jesus praying for the Holy Spirit himself daily, we see that this creates that constant connection.
+
+God’s word clearly shows us how important it is to take advantage of today: “... choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve ...” (Joshua 24:15 NKJV) “... Today, if you will hear His voice.” (Psalms 95:7 NKJV) “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11 NKJV) Jesus: “... today I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus made a decision. “Today salvation has come to this house ...” (Luke 19:5,9 NKJV) “... exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’ ...” (Hebrews 3:13 NKJV) Jesus said in the sermon on the mount: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow ... Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV)
+
+Dwight Nelson, senior pastor of the church at Andrews University has written a personal testimony about the impact this book has had on his life and ministry, under the title: “How my life has been changed by the book Steps to Personal Revival”. I find it noteworthy in his testimony that he had previously held sermon series on the Holy Spirit, but it wasn’t until he read through the book in 2017 that he experienced a great change. The breakthrough came when he realized **the necessity of daily asking for the Holy Spirit**. You can read his testimony in the appendix.
+
+I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about this to read chapter three (Our Problems are Solvable) of Steps to Personal Revival.
+
+### What do others have to say about the necessity of being daily filled?
+
+First, here are three quotes, which convey the view of the worldwide church:
+
+- Seventh-day Adventists Believe: “The baptism with the Holy Spirit [the same as being filled] is **not a onetime event; we can experience it daily. But we have to plead to the Lord for this baptism**, because this is the only way for the church to receive power to witness and spread the gospel.” <sup>18</sup>
+- On July 17, 2014 in our worldwide **Adult Sabbath School Study Guide**, the principal contributor, **Carlos Steger**, said the following: “Baptism with the Holy Spirit means to be totally under the influence of the Spirit, completely ‘filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:18, NKJV). **This is not a ‘once and forever’ experience, but is something that needs to be constantly renewed.”**
+- The following was said by principal contributor, **Frank Hasel**, in our worldwide **Adult Sabbath School Study Guide** on January 30, 2017: “While the Spirit is given by the hearing of faith (Galatians 3:2) and is received through faith (Galatians 3:14) at our baptism (Titus 3:5,6), **we need to seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit every day**. We can’t live off a powerful experience that we had last year, or last month, or even yesterday. **We need the infilling of God's Spirit each day, for each day** brings its own challenges. In the Greek of Acts 13:52, the term _filled_ with the Spirit is in the imperfect tense, signifying continuous action. It literally means: “being (continuously) filled.” Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event. It is something that we should seek and receive every day. This filling has to be repeated so that every part of our life is filled with His presence, and so we are empowered to live as we should.”
+
+### Further Quotes from other Authors:
+
+**David Wolkwitz**, department head at the Washington Conference, USA, wrote two books about the Holy Spirit. In around 1995 we received his extremely valuable book, Encounter for Revival of Power, at the Maranatha Seminars with Samuel Monnier, which was published under the copyright by the Personal Ministries Department of the General Conference. In Encounter for Revival of Power he says:
+
+“To start with, we will show how important it is to be filled with the Spirit. ... In the end, we will discover that this infilling is the central point of the new covenant. We want to be aware of God’s pleading call; He wants us to receive this blessing day by day.” <sup>19</sup>
+
+**Ekkehardt Müller**, works at the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference and wrote a book entitled: The Doctrine of God – Biblical Findings and Theological Challenge (Bogenhofen 2019). He says: “Moreover, it must be kept in mind that the Holy Spirit living in a person follows new birth, but it isn’t a process, which automatically takes place. The relationship has to be daily renewed.” <sup>20</sup>
+
+**Dennis Smith**, a pastor in the USA; he is well-known by many, because he has written a series of books. He writes: “Another very important point is that we must renew this infilling of the Spirit every day. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31: ‘I die daily.’ Death of self and the infilling of the Holy Spirit is a daily experience. It isn’t a ‘once-and-for-ever’ experience. Paul said: ‘... the inward man is being renewed day by day.’ (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV) We need a renewal through the Spirit **every day** of our lives. Paul challenges us with the words: ‘... be filled with the Spirit.’ (Ephesians 5:18 NKJV) The verb in this verse is used in the continuous tense, which means in Greek that we should do it daily. A believer is led through the infilling of the Spirit. Paul wrote how important this daily experience is, when he said: ‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.’ (Romans 8:14 NKJV) Again the verb form in the Greek is continous action. Paul is saying, ‘as many as are continuing to be led daily by the Spirit of God.’ Hence, we must receive the Spirit everyday to be led by Him everyday. Claiming the promise oft he baptism oft he Holy Spirit must become one oft he first things we do when we awake in the morning.” <sup>21</sup>
+
+**Ellen G. White**:
+
+“For the **daily baptism** of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 50.2)
+
+“To the consecrated worker there is wonderful consolation in the knowledge that even Christ during His life on earth sought His Father daily for fresh supplies of needed grace ...” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 56.1)
+
+What is the significance of my personal morning worship, if it is so important that I daily surrender myself to Jesus and daily ask for the infilling of the Holy Spirit? Here is a source of blessing for the whole day. Jesus said: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)
+
+### The Path to Happiness
+
+This two-part divine solution (surrender to Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Spirit) to our main problem – being born again and living a new life – is also the way to a happy Christian life. Why? Jesus commented in John 15:11 NKJV: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” Through these two steps (continually receiving the Holy Spirit and living in complete surrender to Jesus and to His service) Christ lives in us and this is the path to perfect happiness. Colossians 1:27 NKJV speaks about the riches of the glory: Christ in you. It is important to renew this relationship every day during morning worship.
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>18</sup> Seventh-day Adventists Believe ... A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines, English Copyright: 1988 Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, German Copyright 1996, Advent-Verlag Lüneburg, p. 311
+
+<sup>19</sup> David Wolkwitz, Encounter for Revival of Power, published by the personal ministries department of the General Conference, p. 102-103. No date. Section: “Be filled” (Eph 5:18)
+
+<sup>20</sup> Ekkehardt Müller, Die Lehre von Gott – Biblischer Befund und Theologische Herausforderung (The Doctrine of God – Biblical Findings and Theological Challenge, Bogenhofen 2019, p. 224
+
+<sup>21</sup> Dennis Smith, 10 Days – Prayers and Devotions to Experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, p. 36, 37
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+---
+title: "A Further Overlooked Factor: Daily"
+---
+
+### What Do Leaders, Pastors And Theologians Have To Say?
+
+**Return to the first love** – Through the infilling of the Holy Spirit I was led to a much closer walk with Jesus. I experienced a return to the “first love” of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Personal changes started to take place in me, which could only stem from the indwelling of God’s Spirit. I saw a power in my ministry which I had never seen before.
+
+D. S.
+
+**Many are awaking from their sleep** – We advised a young woman against marrying a non-believing partner and asked her to read the book Steps to Personal Revival. Much to our surprise, she ordered her own copy and decided to postpone the wedding. We will soon start reading this book together and praying together at the close of Sabbath. We are also studying this book with two churches. It’s worth the effort. Many people are awakening from their sleep and are learning how important it is to pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
+
+P. V. #102
+
+**Conference President and Pastors** – A conference president told me that he had found the book Steps to Personal Revival interesting the first time he read it, but he didn’t understand everything. The second time he read it, he felt very uncomfortable – he had discovered what all he had missed due to a lack of the Holy Spirit. And the third time he read it, it completely penetrated him. Now, he prays every morning for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. The pastors in this conference have personally read the book, and are also studying a chapter every month together. They discuss it together at the pastor’s meeting. The ministerial secretary prepares questions for each chapter, which they answer in writing.
+
+H. H. #125
+
+**Found Steps to Personal Revival on the General Conference website Revival and Reformation** – I was blessed by Steps to Personal Revival. It was a touching experience for me to read this book. My life has changed. After reading it several times in three months, I shared this message with several churches. I also gave a soft copy of the book to all the pastors at the Conference Pastors’ Meeting.... I pray that the same fire will reach every leader, every pastor and all the members of our church. [This conference has about 80,000 members.]
+
+L. M. #140
+
+**Victories, which I never thought possible** – First testimony, June 26, 2017: “... I read Steps to Personal Revival three times. I never thought that I would find such new knowledge about prayer – praying, based on God’s promises, as you explained. **In the meantime, God has given me victories in my life that I never thought possible.** I was invited to speak at a camp meeting. Your book gave me the topic.”
+
+**Second Testimony**, July 25, 2017: “... Since I started reading your book (I read it **six times**, as recommended in the book) and since I learned to pray with promises, **my life has been transformed**. ... The Lord led me to prepare a sermon on our greatest need for the camp meeting: The Refreshing Showers of the Spirit of God. **In all the years I have dedicated to the service of God, I have never felt the power of the Holy Spirit as intensively as when He moved the 3,000 participants in the auditorium.** My wife has noticed a complete change in me. I am also surprised about myself.”
+
+F. S. Pastor and retired conference department head USA, #136 Text abbreviated
+
+**President in a closed country in Asia: I pray that this book will change our whole mission field.** – “I am sorry that I didn’t find out about this book before, but I thank God He showed me this book now.... Last night I sent pdf files of this book to all our workers, and asked them to read it with their family members. ... I pray that this book will change our whole mission work. We will publish it in our language so that our members will be blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives ... I pray that our Lord continues to use you and your book to bring revival in His church.”
+
+#148
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+title: "Chapter 3: A Further Overlooked Factor: Daily"
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@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+---
+title: "What Brings The Holy Spirit Into My Life?: What does everything depend on?"
+---
+
+What is given to believers through a life in the Holy Spirit, who live in complete surrender to Jesus and daily ask for and receive the Holy Spirit?
+
+It essentially has to do with two areas: the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. Saving souls is influenced by the fruit of the Spirit as well as the gifts of the Spirit. We will only take a look at the fruit here, although to this day I don’t have a complete picture of the entire blessing, which God gives us on this path nor can I comprehensively present it. In short: Jesus gives us gifts through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the gift of God, which brings all the others gifts with it.
+
+1. **New fulfilled life** – John 10:10 NKJV: “... that they may have it [life] more abundantly,” which will be continued in eternal life in glory. John 3:5 NKJV: “... unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
+
+2. **Powerful life** – Ephesians 3:16 NKJV: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” We receive power, motivation and joy for our life and willingness to obey.
+
+3. **Jesus becomes much more valuable to us** – John 16:14 NKJV: “He will glorify Me....” Total trust in Jesus brings peace and joy! It is marvelous to trust in Jesus.
+
+4. **Jesus lives in us** – Corinthians 1:27 NKJV: “... which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Ephesians 3:16-17 NKJV: “... to be strengthened with might through His Spirit... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith ...” (More in the book Abide in Jesus, chapter 3.)
+
+5. **Character renewal**, away from egoism, which tyrannizes us, towards God’s love. Ephesians 3:17 NKJV: “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.”
+
+6. **Christ our righteousness** – Romans 8:4 NKJV: “that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who ... walk according ... according to the Spirit.”
+
+7. **Prayer** is a gift of the Holy Spirit. He gives us delight in prayer. Galatians 4:6 NKJV: “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” Jesus said in John 15:7 NKJV: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
+
+8. **Delight in God’s word.** The Holy Spirit creates a hunger in us for the Word of God. It is His mission to guide us into all truth. (John 16:13) “... He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26 NKJV) He is the Spirit of knowledge (Isaiah 11:2). Not only will our hunger be stilled by the Word of God, but we will also discover treasures, which will make our life happy and rich and will motivate us to speak about it.
+
+9. **He gives us assurance of salvation** – Romans 8:16 NKJV: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
+
+10. **Empowers us to witness**. As Spirit-filled workers of Jesus, we gladly tell other people about Jesus and faith. Acts 1:8 NKJV: “But you shall receive power [ability, be equipped] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses ...” Our faith will be attractive to us and our fellow men.
+
+11. **Deliverance from the power of sin** – We are freed in Christ from damnation; we are freed through the Holy Spirit from the power of sin (Romans 8:1-2). We will sin less and less, because we don’t want to anymore. When we fail, we confess it. With God’s help we leave everything that we have realized is wrong (1 John 5:18; 1 John 2:1). “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2 NKJV)
+
+12. **Our thoughts will be ordered**. Galatians 5:16 NKJV: “... Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Think about the 10th commandment: you shall not covet....) 2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV: “... bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
+
+13. **Preservation, protection, ability to discriminate, steadfastness** – Matthew 24:24 NKJV: “... to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” 1 John 5:18 NKJV: “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”
+
+14. **I receive advice.** The Holy Spirit the “Spirit of counsel” (Isaiah 11:2 NKJV). He is the only one who can give me the right answer to every question.
+
+15. Last, but very important. **Leading people to Christ through a life of service in the Holy Spirit**. I am convinced that we would have many more church members today, if we didn’t have a lack of the Holy Spirit! And many would have a much deeper spiritual level.
+
+16. **Liberty** – 2 Corinthians 3:17: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” “In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom.” (Desire of Ages, p. 466.4)
+
+### What does everything depend on?
+
+John 15:5 NKJV: “... He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
+
+1 John 2:28 NKJV: “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
+
+### How can we abide in Jesus?
+
+Jesus desires us to abide in Him: “Abide in Me, and I in you....” (John 15:4 NKJV) This means according to The Desire of Ages, p. 676:
+
+- “A constant receiving of His Spirit.” Hence, our daily request with a promise and the daily infilling of the Holy Spirit.
+- “A life of unreserved surrender to His service.” Hence, our daily renewal of our complete surrender to Jesus Christ and His word and the willingness to completely follow Him.
+
+If we take these two spiritual steps with our whole heart every day – they are the basis for new life – then we are in and remain in **new life**. And this new life – Jesus is very clear here – is the prerequisite for admission into God’s kingdom (John 3:1-8). These two “vital elements” result in us being born again and remaining in new life, if we continually stay closely connected to Christ (abide in Him) and continually follow His call to ask for the Holy Spirit.
+
+Jesus makes them to a prerequisite with no alternative for God’s kingdom in John 3:3,5 – born of water (symbol for surrendering our life to Jesus) and Spirit. The spiritual life, which we receive when we are born again, has to be preserved and maintained with the help of these “vital elements”.
+
+These basic elements are also the prerequisite for God being able to give us His whole love here and now. God doesn’t wish to take anything from us when we surrender ourselves to Him, but rather He wants to bless us with His rich abundance. God has a fulfilled and fruitful Christian life available for each of us. Do you want to be a spiritual Christian, who has accepted Jesus Christ as his Redeemer and Lord and lives in the power of the Holy Spirit? Do you want to be “wide-awake”?
+
+### Is surrendering our lives an expectation of Jesus, which is going too far?
+
+This is an expectation based on love. The Bible compares our relationship with Jesus to marriage. Didn’t you both completely give yourself to your bride/groom when you married? Did you see this as an unreasonable demand or was it only natural? Would you have gladly agreed if he or she had reserved one day of the week for someone else? You would have certainly not gotten married. Love wholly devotes itself and expects the same from its partner. Jesus totally gave Himself for us. He expects the same from us, so that He can make us happy now and for eternity.
+
+### What about the believers, who have already died?
+
+I am thankful that the Bible tells us that God overlooks times of ignorance (Acts 17:30). Whoever has sincerely lived out his faulty beliefs, is saved. But since so many live without the Holy Spirit or with a lack of the Holy Spirit, many of our children and youth have left the church. In any case, they have suffered a great loss in their lives, because the Holy Spirit is the most valuable gift which God has given us and He brings all the other blessings with Him.
+
+### What is personal revival?
+
+**Ellen G. White** said: “Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death.” (Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 128.1)
+
+**Mark Finley**: “Revival takes place when we implement the biblical elements of revival.” <sup>22</sup>
+
+**Dennis Smith**: “The infilling of the Holy Spirit gives Laodicean Christians the necessary strength for spiritual revival and also the power to witness.” <sup>23</sup>
+
+Therefore, revival means a return from spiritual death or Laodicean-Christianity (carnal Christianity) to new life. Revival doesn’t have anything to do with any eccentric behavior, rather it is entering new life – in a true spiritual life. We grow in this new life through serving (see footnote<sup>24</sup>). One grows quickly, the other more slowly. Someone, who is just beginning to understand the work of the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t become discouraged because he produces less fruit than a more mature Christian, who has been acquainted with this truth for a long time. (Recommendation: read or reread Steps to Personal Revival)
+
+### Revival in Three Steps
+
+**Step 1: New life through being born again**
+
+Jesus makes it clear in John 3:1-8 that without this new life we cannot enter God’s kingdom.
+
+It is necessary to be born again and to remain in this new life. Jesus said: “Abide in Me and I in you.” (John 15:4 NKJV) When this new life doesn’t exist, then we are spiritually dead. Having new life is the foundation of a Christian life and also the basis for further growth.
+
+**Step 2: Growing in the new life through service and witness**
+
+Whoever lives in the new life, has the desire to serve. For him it is a matter of serving God and thereby growing and maturing spiritually. Whoever doesn’t have the desire to serve, has to ask themselves if they are even filled with the Holy Spirit. We can only experience the fullness through the reflex blessing of our service for God. Ellen G. White said: “Divine wisdom has appointed, in the plan of salvation, the law of action and reaction, making the work of beneficence, in all its branches, twice blessed. He that gives to the needy blesses others, and is blessed himself in a still greater degree.” (Testimony Treasures, vol. 1, p. 360.4) Service and witness open our hearts. Whoever doesn’t want to serve, will lose what he had. Here it is not only a matter of spiritual service, but rather “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV) Jesus: “... inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40.45 NKJV) (Further details in the book Spirit-Filled Coworkers of Jesus, chap. 2: God’s Ingenious Way)
+
+**Step 3: Maturing to receive the latter rain**
+
+Whoever matures in the early rain will be prepared for the latter rain (Zechiariah 10:1). Only those who have matured in the early rain can receive the latter rain, which will help them survive the most difficult phase of the end time and also be a witness for Jesus.
+
+I think that it is important for us to realize that revival is not a one-time event, but rather it is a continually progressive development, because new life has to do with our relationship to Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
+
+Praise and thanks to God that He has shown us the way. We are glad that we can traverse the path of revival. May God give each of you His rich grace and the fullness of His blessings. For those, who already live in the Holy Spirit, may He give you growth to fullness and for those, who have not gone down this path or haven’t gone far enough, may He give you new life.
+
+What risk do we run when we don’t continually ask for the Holy Spirit? “The enemy is a master worker, and if God’s people are not constantly led by the Spirit of God, they will be snared and taken.” (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 352.2)
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>22</sup> Mark Finley, Revive us again, p. 25
+
+<sup>23</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days – Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming, Vienna 2012, p. 103
+
+<sup>24</sup> Helmut Haubeil, Spirit-Filled Coworkers of Jesus, chapter 2: God’s ingenious way. Available online www.schritte-zur-persönlichen-erweckung.info or as a book www.remnantpublications.com
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/04-what-brings-the-holy-spirit-into-my-life/04-what-brings-the-holy-spirit-into-my-life.md b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/04-what-brings-the-holy-spirit-into-my-life/04-what-brings-the-holy-spirit-into-my-life.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+title: Testimonies
+---
+
+**Pastor in England** – I virtually read the book (Steps to Personal Revival) in one sitting and was taken on a spiritual roller coaster of despair and delight. It convicted and challenged me. I ordered immediately 150 copies for my church... I look forward to my 3rd, 4th and 5th readings and to put the church on a spiritual war footing with the 40-day prayer and fast.
+
+D. M.
+
+Two weeks later: I am preparing the church to receive the book at next week’s business meeting which I am calling – Revival Evangelism Business Meeting. I am praying for a Spirit-filled response to what indeed is (the Holy Spirit) an alien subject for church people! It is frightening but exciting, too! I am anticipating a revolution and to share great testimonies.
+
+D. M. #75
+
+**Pastor of two churches in California, USA** – I came into contact with Steps to Personal Revival through the podcast of Pastor Dwight Nelson. It deeply impressed me. I admit that I never had much interest in “Holy Spirit books”. I definitely believe that for some reason God has chosen the current times to reach more people with the Holy Spirit. I am so glad.
+
+Straight away in the first chapter we are shown the simple way to a very powerful truth, which forces our spirit to stop and think afresh. The process of reading the book multiple times is very effective. With every person I talk, discuss and preach to about the book, the topic of the Holy Spirit becomes more attractive. It is as if we have heard about it for the first time.
+
+I can see it in myself. I couldn’t tear myself away from the first chapter until I had held at least three sermons on it. I couldn’t stop reading the book. The results were perceptible in my churches. My district has grown by 18% in the last year. This is the work of God and the Holy Spirit’s on our members. We are looking forward to even more this year. Excerpt from a lengthy email.
+
+D. R.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/04-what-brings-the-holy-spirit-into-my-life/info.yml b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/04-what-brings-the-holy-spirit-into-my-life/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 4: What Brings The Holy Spirit Into My Life?"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/05-will-we-follow-jesus-now/05-will-we-follow-jesus-now.md b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/05-will-we-follow-jesus-now/05-will-we-follow-jesus-now.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+---
+title: Will We Follow Jesus Now?
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Will we use the unrecognized wealth now? Will we close the gap? What reasons could there be for failure?
+
+Jesus Christ emphasized ten times in His prayer lesson that we should continually ask every day for the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Luke 11:9-13).
+
+Back in her day, **Ellen G. White** called pastors’ attention to the fact that it was neither practiced nor taught. She said: “The power the Holy Spirit awaits our demand and reception.” (Testimonies to Pastors and Gospel Workers, p. 174) What is it like today? Is it being taught and preached with this clarity? Is it being taught in our sermons, Bible and baptismal classes and religion classes?
+
+I thank God that in the meanwhile He has let me recognize this. 170 written testimonies about “new life in the Holy Spirit” can be read at www.steps-to-personal-revival.info under “testimonies”. In addition, there have been hundreds of personal conversations in response to the 40-Day books by Dennis Smith and Steps to Personal Revival by Helmut Haubeil. Experience has already shown that paying heed to Jesus’ command – asking daily – leads to a breakthrough. In the process, it is very helpful to pray with promises (Luke 11:13; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
+
+### The Main Obstacle: Pride and Prejudice
+
+Pride and prejudice are enormous blockades for learning biblical insights. The fate of Dr. Semmelweis is a crass example in the area of health.
+
+Around 1840 Vienna was known as a strong-hold of medicine. In the Vienna general hospital, one of the most well-known university clinics of the time, almost one in six women died on the maternity ward. When the women died, they were taken to the dissecting room. It was the first obligation of the doctors and students to examine the dead women each morning
+
+Afterwards, the doctors continued – without washing their hands thoroughly – to examine the women on the maternity ward.
+
+Around 1840 the young Dr. Semmelweis was given the supervision of one of these maternity wards. He discovered that those women got sick and died, who had been previously examined by the professors and doctors. He suspected this was the reason for the high death rate. Hence, he ordered that every doctor and student that had taken part in an autopsy should thoroughly wash their hands before they examined any patients on the maternity ward.
+
+In April 1847, before the regulation became effective, 57 women died on this ward. In June only one of 42 women died. In July only one in 84. The statistics clearly proved that the deadly infectious diseases from the corpses had been transmitted to the living patients.
+
+After a certain incident, Dr. Semmelweis ordered that they were to also carefully wash their hands after examining each patient. Immediately, protests arose against this “senseless handwashing”.
+
+But the death rate dropped. The hygienic measures had brought about a 14-fold improvement.
+
+And the result: His superiors ridiculed and criticized him to such an extent that his contract wasn’t renewed. His successor had the sinks taken out again. The death rate soon went back to the old alarming numbers. <sup>25</sup> We can see: a person can be highly intelligent and at the same time very foolish.
+
+We don’t want to forget: “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, [The Holy Spirit is] the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:2 NKJV); He is not the Spirit of fear, but rather “of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV) The Holy Spirit also sends us to bring the gospel to the lost, the brokenhearted, the captives, those who are bound so that they can be free (Isaiah 61:1; repeated from Jesus Luke 4:18.19).
+
+Prejudice can be very strong. We should bear in mind that highly educated people have had such prejudices – professors and doctors. Unfortunately, the “problem of prejudice” is still relevant today – not only in the area of health, but also towards the Bible. No one is immune to this. That is why I pray every day: Lord, take all my thoughts “into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV). Make me willing today to decide, talk and act as You would want (Hebrews 13:21). Make me open to Your Spirit and for my fellowmen. Protect me from self-opinionatedness, prejudice and pride.
+
+Do we want to examine the path shown here – shown by God’s word and the spirit of prophecy? And after examination do we want to take this path?
+
+Acts 17:11 NKJV says:
+
+“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
+
+May the Lord prepare us to be willing for everything He wants. May a great revival ensue from this! And may a severe gap thus be closed. And may the unrecognized wealth also be used for ourselves and for the salvation of others!
+
+“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:57.58 NKJV)
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>25</sup> Dr. S. J. McMillan, None of these diseases – arguments from a doctor based on the Bible (Aussaat-Verlag), p. 11
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/05-will-we-follow-jesus-now/info.yml b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/05-will-we-follow-jesus-now/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 5: Will We Follow Jesus Now?"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/06-appendix/06-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/06-appendix/06-appendix.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+---
+title: Testimony of Dwight Nelson
+---
+
+### How my life changed because of the book Steps to Personal Revival.
+
+Last August (2017) a young man at the British Columbia camp meeting where I was preaching, gave me a book. I had never seen the book before nor had I ever heard of the author but the man told me there were over 600,000 copies of the book circulating the world in 29 languages. (March 2021: 50 languages, 1.2 million copies and an unknown number of digital copies distributed.)
+
+Little did I know this short book would end up dramatically changing my life – the way I pray, the way I preach, the way I relate to others – it changed my ministry.
+
+In all my years of schooling, preaching and teaching, nobody ever told me or taught me that the Bible and Ellen White teach us to DAILY petition God for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. How could I have gone this far through pastoring and preaching and never learned so compelling a truth!
+
+But that is what Helmut Haubeil’s book Steps to Personal Revival has taught me. By the time I returned home from that camp meeting I had read the bookin fact I have now read it four times. And my life is changedyou can ask the woman I live with and the people I pastor.
+
+For years I have preached on receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit – series of sermons on this vital theme. But now I have discovered a way to meet with Jesus every morning and do just as He did every morning with the Father – ask for a fresh baptism of His Spirit.
+
+Humbly I testify that God has raised the bar on my prayer life. I used to spend much time in the Word and a comparatively short time in actual prayer. Now my practice is reversed – I spend much time on my knees in my early morning prayer closet in communion with God and then turn to His Word for His communication with me.
+
+My preaching has gained a new freedom and intensity. My leadership with my team and my people has been raised to another level. Suddenly coincidences (what one writer calls synchronicity) are multiplying – it’s as if someone is orchestrating my days and nights, my “chance” meetings and emails and conversations. It’s as if the Holy Spirit is personally directing my waking hours (even my sleeping ones). In fact, I’ve come to know Him as a very personal and truly dear Friend.
+
+Why am I telling you this? I have nothing to gain from this testimony – but I am deeply convicted that you do. Jesus is coming soon. We still have a world, an entire generation, to reach with the everlasting gospel. We simply cannot accomplish that mission on our own. Our only hope is to learn what Jesus knew, to practice what Paul and the first disciples lived. We must have the DAILY baptism of the Holy Spirit upon our lives and ministry. And the only way we will have it is if we humbly daily ask for it. I don’t know who you are, but I am praying for you as I write this. The promised Gift is yours and mine for the asking. After all didn’t Jesus promise us: “If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who [Greek – daily continually] ask Him” (Luke 11:13)?
+
+Won’t you join me in that daily asking?
+
+(Prayer letter from the General Conference April 22, 2018)
+
+### Testimony
+
+I wasted time taking for granted the most important thing – from being filled by the Holy Spirit. I am reading Steps to Personal Revival in Spanish for the third time. I have realized how much time I have wasted as a church member and SDA pastor, because I have taken for granted the most important thing in my relationship with Jesus. The book came to me at a very special time in my life and ministry. All I can say is that I am enjoying the blessing through the Holy Spirit in my life in such a different manner and experience. The thesis of this book has become a reality in my life. Thank you!
+
+E. L. from USA #92
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/06-appendix/06-recommended-literature.md b/src/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/06-appendix/06-recommended-literature.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+---
+title: Recommended Literature
+---
+
+**10 Days Of Prayer “Seeking Revival” 2021**
+
+The 10 Days of Prayer 2021 was translated into 37 different languages and was studied in many countries. In a sense, it is an abbreviated version of the three books in the small series: Steps to Personal Revival (Abide in Jesus, Spirit-Filled Coworkers of Jesus)
+
+The readings have since been slightly changed by Helmut Haubeil in German and English. In addition, study questions have been added as well as suggestions for specific prayer and guidelines for group leaders.
+
+You can find them in German at www.schritte-zur-persönlichenerweckung.info and in English at www.steps-to-personal-revival.info. The unedited version can be read or downloaded in 37 languages at www.tendaysofprayer.org – 2021.
+
+Here are some ideas of how the 10 Days of Prayer material can be used:
+
+**Digital Prayer Groups over Zoom**
+
+The 10 days of prayer was and is held in prayer groups. These groups often use the followig program:
+
+- **5 min. before starting have a musical piece** or song to create a good atmosphere and help to start on time.
+- **Start: welcome, prayer and announce message topic**
+- **About one third of the time for the MESSAGE**. The 10 Days of Prayer can be used here. If the available time is short, then it can be read and share a few main thoughts. If more time is available, then there could be a discussion afterwards. The message helps a lot to be able to pray specifically and for revival.
+- **About one third of the time for PRAYER**. With larger prayer meeting groups, it is better to divide into small groups for prayer, so that there are sufficient opportunities for prayer. For example: a prayer meeting with 60 people. If they are divided into 10 groups of 6 people each for 20 minutes of prayer, then a total of 200 minutes of prayer are available. This is much more than if 60 people prayed together as a group. In order for this group to have the same amount of time for prayer, they would have to pray for three hours. Naturally, that doesn’t work. There are prayer requests, which everyone can pray for, then there are matters, which are only prayed for within a group.
+- **About one third of the time for TESTIMONIES**. There is great power in testimonies. Jesus called us to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). Testimonies and good news strengthen our faith.
+- **Close the session with prayers of thanks.**
+
+**Preparation for preaching**
+
+It is important to spiritually prepare for preaching (a Bible study series or an evangelistic series). The readings can also be used for this. This preparation can take place in a group or a church with or without guests. The readings can also be of valuable use before someone receives regular Bible studies. If we can lead people to Jesus at the beginning of the contact, then it is much easier for them to accept the message of the Bible studies. 26
+
+**Preparation for Bible studies**
+
+I always conduct a discipleship class before I start Bible studies, so that the dear participants are led to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The 10 Days of Prayer can also be used for this.
+
+**For parents and teachers, so they can lead children to Jesus.**
+
+A mother wrote from the USA that her two girls, ages 6 and 8, invite Jesus and the Holy Spirit into their hearts every morning. This is extremely valuable. Ellen G. White said something truly amazing: “Teach your children that it is their privilege to receive every day the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let Christ find you His helping hand to carry out His purposes. By prayer you may gain an experience that will make your ministry for your children a perfect success.” (Child Guidance, p. 69.4)
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+title: Appendix
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+title: From Lack To Abundance
+kind: book
+subtitle: How to have more of the Holy Spirit
+primaryColor: '#77421D'
+primaryColorDark: '#1A1A19'
+credits:
+  - name: Author
+    value: Helmut Haubeil
+covers:
+  landscape: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/assets/cover-landscape.png
+  square: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/assets/cover-square.png
+  portrait: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/assets/cover.png
+  splash: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/from-lack-to-abundance/assets/splash.png
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00a-preface/00-description/00-description.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00a-preface/00-description/00-description.md
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+---
+title: A Fruitful Life
+---
+
+Jesus:
+
+“... He who **abides** in Me, and I in him, bears **MUCH FRUIT** ...” John 15:5
+
+### How can I abide in Jesus?
+
+Jesus invites us: Come to Me! (Matt. 11:28) Whoever has come to Jesus is also invited to remain. (John 15:4) And how does this work?
+
+_**“Abide in Me, and I in you.”**_
+
+**“Abiding in Christ“ means:**
+
+- **a constant receiving of His Spirit**
+- **a life of unreserved surrender**
+- **to His service.”** Desire of Ages p.676.2
+
+This explanation really opened my eyes and gave me clarity for my walk with God. For me this is the secret to a happy Christian life. (John 15:11) It is my prayer and special wish that this will also show many the way to a joyful and fulfilled life. These words are the foundation for the three booklets in the series, _Steps to Personal Revival_.
+
+### What is the connection of the three booklets in the _Steps to Personal Revival_ series?
+
+1\. _Steps to Personal Revival_
+
+Being filled with the Holy Spirit
+
+How can you experience this?
+
+It is about a constant asking and **receiving of His Spirit**.
+
+2\. _Abide in Jesus_ – How is this done?
+
+It is about a **life of unreserved surrender to Jesus Christ**.
+
+3\. _Spirit-filled Co-Workers with Jesus_
+
+How can you become a Spirit-filled co-worker?
+
+It is about **unreserved surrender to His service with all its brilliant consequences**.
+
+4\. _From Lack to Abundance_
+
+How to have more of the Holy Spirit?
+
+Two insights are at stake here: What is the cause of our lack? How can I live in the wealth and power that God offers me?
+
+### Encouragement
+
+Experience has shown that the study of these precious truths is particularly blessed, when, following the personal study a daily common devotion is performed in twos. There is double blessing for couples! (With others maybe telephone, Skype) Also a daily or weekly time for conversation and prayer in a group is very stimulating.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Our Lord Himself has given the command<sup>1</sup> let yourselves be consistently and repeatedly filled anew with the Spirit!<sup>2</sup>
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, Mount of Blessing, MB 20.3
+
+<sup>2</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), S. 101
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+title: A Fruitful Life
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+---
+title: Live Enthusiastically And Victoriously Through Jesus!
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> How can I be successful as a Christian? What promises does God give us for a successful life?
+
+### What is success in life?
+
+Everyone defines success differently. Most people think of money, influence, power and fame. Naturally, this can be referred to as a type of success, but isn’t success in life a fulfilled life in a deeper sense?
+
+In 1923 the nine richest men in the world at that time met in Chicago for a conference. No one knows exactly what they discussed. But 25 years later, someone investigated to see what had happened to them. Almost all of them were either bankrupt, on the run, in prison because of fraud or had died from a heart attack or suicide. They had been incredibly rich and had achieved great influence and power. But they didn’t have true success in life – not even lasting economic success. Jesus said: “... for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15 NKJV) (Taken from: “Helmut Haubeil & Gerhard Padderatz, Gott, Geld & Glaube – Christliches Handeln in Wirtschaftsfragen“ (God, Money & Faith – Christian conduct in economic matters), Eckental 2009, p. 15, 16).
+
+**They had overlooked something vital in their lives: a personal, intimate relationship with God**; the Bible calls this “being in Christ” (170 times) or “born again” (John 3:1-17) or “born of God” (1 John 5:18). Christ lives in us, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. God promises us “in Christ” success – namely success in life. He accompanies us on our journey through life. He assumes responsibility, when we remain closely and constantly connected to Him. In addition, He gives us His wonderful spiritual blessings and eternal life. E.G. White said: “A knowledge of this mystery [Christ in us] furnishes a key to every other. It opens to the soul the treasures of the universe, the possibilities of infinite development.” (Education, p. 172.1)
+
+According to the world, success is based on self-determination: My ego determines almost everything. When we take this path, then we are personally responsible for the results. We have to deal with all the human problems and limitations. Yes, a person can temporarily experience success. And yet, this path ultimately ends in doom (Revelation 14:17-20).
+
+God’s promises for success: We have a marvelous and ingenious God. Promises are prepared victories for us. Jesus said that He came to give us life abundantly. The Bible promises us true success, although this expression isn’t literally used. Please study the following passages:
+
+- Psalm 1 shows: whoever takes God’s path, will “be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.”
+- Joshua 1:7-9: “... the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (more about this later)
+- Proverbs 3:5-6: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
+- John 15:1-17: The New Testament speaks about “fruit”. In verse 5: “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.”
+
+God and human beings constantly work closely together in this process.
+
+### A practical example of success
+
+When I was 19 years old, I was extremely impressed by Daniel’s actions. The first chapter of the book Daniel impacted my whole life as a great blessing. This also applied to my career path, both in economics as well as pastoral / missionary work. Daniel, a prisoner of war, became a great statesman and chancellor in two world empires and was God’s prophet. Today, he is still highly revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews.
+
+### The Beginning of Daniel’s Career
+
+What kind of people were Daniel and his fellow captives? Chapter 1 reveals:
+
+Verse 4: They were young, healthy, good looking, intelligent and wise and they came from devout homes. In addition, they were princes in the royal family. They came from Judea. They were hostages and prisoners of war.
+
+Verse 5: The great King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to win these young people over. He wanted to particularly nurture them. He ordered that they be supplied with his food and wine. As a consequence, Daniel and his friends had a problem: The luscious and sumptuous food from the king’s table contradicted the ordinances in the Bible. What should Daniel and his friends do? As hostages of war, they were completely dependent on the king’s goodwill. Certainly, they thoroughly deliberated and consulted God. They had to make a decision: Either silently eat and drink what was placed before them – against their conscience – or search for a different alternative. We are only told about Daniel’s decision, but they certainly all agreed.
+
+Verse 8: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank.” (NKJV) Daniel resolved to be faithful to God and not to eat any unclean foods. In the course of his life, we see that this was a fundamental decision for his whole life.
+
+Daniel also didn’t want to accept any “worldly offers” in the future, which would cause him to be unfaithful to God. He wanted to follow the biblical ordinances. Daniel was certainly acquainted with the book of Joshua and the commission, which God gave to Joshua! (A small tip: study Joshua 1:7-9 and learn it by heart!) A short version:
+
+Verse 7: Always follow God’s word. Don’t stray to the right or left, SO THAT you will have success!
+
+Verse 8: Constantly occupy yourself with God’s word and act according to what is written, THEN you will have success!
+
+Verse 9: Be confident and courageous! Don’t be afraid of anything! BECAUSE God is with you wherever you go. He assumes the responsibility. He gives us the strength, joy and success.
+
+This first decision already showed clearly that Daniel lived in complete surrender to God. **This is the key aspect for success in accordance with God: Always make decisions as God, in His love, wants and not as I want or as some authority suggests or dictates.**
+
+**How important are decisions in our life?** The ability to make good decisions governs our whole life. The luxury passenger ship “Queen Elizabeth” was 1,300 times as heavy as its rudder, which steered the huge ship. Such a rudder is a parallel to our ability to make decisions. Decisions can have a great impact. When we decide to do God’s will and take the necessary steps, then He will provide us with the necessary help. Then He accompanies us. Then we experience continuous divine-human teamwork, whereby God assumes the responsibility. (More information in Abide in Jesus, chapter “Obedience through Jesus”.)
+
+Daniel and his friends made a decision according to God’s will. What steps did they take next? They did what they could and God provided a solution to the problem.
+
+### How can we deal best with difficult decisions?
+
+Daniel 1 verse 8 b: “... he [Daniel] requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” What method did they use? **The method of requesting**. It comes across in an entirely different way, when we express our concern as a request rather than saying: “I won’t do that!” or “I don’t want that!” or “That is out of the question!”. A request expresses trust. When we voice a request, the chances are higher that the person addressed will try to help us. But when we make demands or express a refusal in an unfriendly tone, then the contact person will be negatively influenced. They will be more inclined to show who has the final say. I learned this important perspective at a youth retreat and never forgot it. I have acted accordingly my whole life, because this is a good and correct method. It has stood the test of time.
+
+Daniel also added something: He emphasized that this problem was a matter of conscience for him. When we reason this way, we will often be met with more understanding. But we should never and under no circumstance act against our conscience. Only in this way can we have inner peace with God.
+
+Verse 9: “Now **God had brought** Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” (NKJV) What happened here? Daniel made the decision to obey God. In this way, he had done everything he could – carefully thought out and very politely. And then God intervened and moved the heart of this superior. God **brought it about**. (Normally, our marvelous God will intervene in our favor. But He can also decide otherwise. Maybe we haven’t met all the conditions or maybe He has a superior perspective as to why He shouldn’t do it.)
+
+According to verse 10 the chief official had great concerns. If he were to fulfill Daniel’s request, then he would be acting against the king’s explicit decree.
+
+We see Daniel’s next step in verse 12. He turns to the steward, who personally supervised Daniel and his friends. And Daniel continues with the request method. In addition, he makes a specific suggestion – he had had time to think about this. He said very politely and friendly to the steward: Please try it out for ten days with us. With this request, he again shows his trust in his superior. One thing is clear: Daniel wasn’t planning on eating unclean food after the ten days! On the contrary, he trusted completely in God’s intervention as he requested: “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables [literally seed foods] <sup>1</sup> to eat and water to drink.” (NKJV)
+
+Why did Daniel request “seed foods”? Where does this term come from? It says in Genesis 1:29: “And God said: See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” That’s right, Daniel was well acquainted with God’s word. He requested the best food, specifically the food, which God had designated for humans at creation: plant foods. It also has the advantage of being inexpensive. God brought it about that this steward also heard and granted his request. And again, God did something wonderful:
+
+Verse 15 “And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.” (NKJV) As a result, the problem was solved. What did God give them? **Beauty, strength and high intelligence. God brought it about!**
+
+But God continued to give: verse 17 – “As for these four young men, God **gave** them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (NKJV) What else did God give them? **Knowledge and understanding** and in addition for Daniel, **the prophetic gift. God gave!**
+
+But that’s not all. There was another surprise at the end of their training. We read in verse 20: “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.” Can you make yourself five or ten times more intelligent? Only God can give this. God **gives**.
+
+This method shows how you can lead a really successful life: If something contradicts God’s will, then make a decision **for** God’s will! Then carefully give it thought and then use the request method. Be polite and friendly. If possible or when necessary, suggest a reasonable solution, which concurs with God’s will. Then God is with us. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 NIV: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be **given** to you as well.”
+
+Maybe you haven’t surrendered yourself completely to Christ yet. Or in the meantime, you have wandered away and lost your “first love” (Revelation 2:4). When we are in this condition, then we have a completely different attitude and see many things differently. And it seems “normal” to us. Romans 8:5 GNT: “Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. **Those who live as the Spirit tells them** to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants.” This text shows us two different basic attitudes, depending on if we are filled with the Holy Spirit or not. When I hadn’t completely surrendered myself to Christ, I occasionally found it very strenuous and burdensome to live as a Christian. But now my life is filled with joy, assurance, strength and victory. E.G. White said: “The secret of success is the union of divine power with human effort.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 509.1) That is why we want to contemplate basic questions in this book, which will through a close relationship with Christ lead us to success or in the biblical language, a fruitful life – a life as a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led coworker of God.
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> William H. Shea, Das Buch Daniel, Teil 1 (Advent-Verlag Lüneburg, 1998), S. 52
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+title: Live Enthusiastically And Victoriously Through Jesus!
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+title: Preface
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00b-introduction/00-introduction/00-introduction.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00b-introduction/00-introduction/00-introduction.md
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+---
+title: "Spirit-filled Coworkers Of Jesus: How do you become one?"
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “You will not succeed in what you intend to do, neither through human strength nor through the might of an army: No, my Spirit will do it! I promise, the Lord God Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6 translated from the German version Hoffnung für alle
+
+God’s work on this earth will not be completed through us in our own power and by our own abilities, however valuable they may be. **God Himself has to and will complete the gospel work**. He will do it through **Jesus’ Spirit-filled coworkers**; through men, women, the old, the young and children, who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Through people, who live in complete surrender to Christ and His service.
+
+We have to ask ourselves the questions, which determine everything: Am I working for God with my human abilities? Or can God work through me with His divine abilities?
+
+### A Groundbreaking Experience (more chapter 3)
+
+Theology students from our pastoral seminary in Bogenhofen, Austria were invited to hold evangelistic series in Africa. Among others, Zsolt Halmi volunteered for this effort. In 2006 he was in his second year of his studies. He had previously held evangelistic series in Romania. He and other students were appointed to Kisumu, Kenya in East Africa.
+
+Zsolt expected God to work mightily there, since he had heard great things about the people’s interest in Africa. He expected thousands of attendees. He was supposed to speak at a market place. A podium had been built there. First, they showed the film about Jesus’ life, then the sermon followed. But only 30 guests came. It was like a cold shower to Zsolt. Only 20 people came on the second evening and only 10 on the third evening. It continued this way the rest of the week. He was discouraged and the situation didn’t improve. In his frustration, he locked himself in his room and prayed for four hours. He poured out his despair before God. He asked Him: “Why did you bring me here?” He surrendered himself to God with his whole being. He felt that He had deepened His relationship with God through this prayer. In addition, God had given him a promise at his request: “You will glorify the Lord.” He realized that God had heard him. Nevertheless, he was still plagued by fears and doubts.
+
+But – that evening 600 people came. Now he knew: God hadn’t forsaken him. Then 700 people attended, then it went up to 1,000 and at the end by God’s grace 39 people were baptized.
+
+Can you see the distinct difference between working for God in our own power and God working through us with His love and His divine abilities? This is an extraordinary example. But I hope that we can clearly see the turning point. What changed? The same man spoke, with the same education, with the same message, with the same concept, with the same technique and in the same place. What changed? Nothing at all, except the degree of his relationship with God. He had surrendered himself fully to God. Our full surrender, that is God’s criterion. And – there is only this one, there is no other. Our wonderful Lord wants to be connected with us with all His love and all His divine possibilities. – We will deal with this question in detail in chapter 3.
+
+### Rivers of Living Water – Greater Works
+
+Jesus said: “‘**He who believes in Me**, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ **But this He spoke concerning the Spirit** ...” (John 7:38-39 NKJV)
+
+“Most assuredly, I say to you, **he who believes in Me**, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, **because I go to My Father**.” (John 14:12 NKJV)
+
+Why will rivers of living water flow from His disciples? Why will His disciples also do the works that he does and even greater works? Jesus states the reason: “... because I go to My Father.” What happened when He went to His Father?
+
+1. Jesus was reenthroned in power and glory. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18 NKJV)
+2. As a sign of His enthronement Jesus gave the disciples His greatest gift: He sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ crowning gift. That means: Jesus Himself has to and will do the greater works and give the rivers of living water – through disciples filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+Working for God in our own strength only brings human results. I doubt that it ever sufficed. But in our time and age, in which the majority of people have become hard of hearing towards God, it is certainly even less inadequate.
+
+**God’s work will be completed by God Himself, by HIM working through those, who have completely surrendered themselves to HIM**. This brings divine results. For example, Jesus, Paul, Daniel, Nehemiah, Esther and others.
+
+### Jesus’ Keywords for His Disciples
+
+“**Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.**” (Mark 16:15) How can this be done?
+
+“**Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.**” (Matthew 4:19 NKJV) When we follow Jesus in all things, then He makes us into fishers of men. There is not a more successful master. We will look more closely at how He makes us into fishers of men in chapter 5.
+
+What did He say to them later? Were they supposed to start immediately after His ascension?
+
+“... **He commanded them** not to depart from Jerusalem, but **to wait for the Promise of the Father**, ... **you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit**. ...” (Acts 1:4-5 NKJV)
+
+What were Jesus’ last words during His time on earth?
+
+“But you shall receive power [**empowerment, equipped**] **when the Holy Spirit has come upon you**; and you shall be witnesses to Me ... to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
+
+What were His last words from heaven to the last church?
+
+“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:22 NKJV)
+
+Jesus’ focal point here is clearly discernable: Under all circumstances, we need the Holy Spirit.
+
+**... then the end will come**
+
+When all nations have been reached, then Jesus will come again: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14 NKJV)
+
+The gospel has been spread with great dedication – and this has worked. But the ultimate goal **cannot** be reached in human power!
+
+Modern media has helped us in recent times. Will the work be completed through this medium? Interestingly enough, communication technologies started with Samuel Morse in the year 1844. Can we see evidence with this date that technology will play a role? Definitely! But, we shouldn’t forget that the Lord only makes the Bible alive for the listeners, when the words are spoken by disciples, who are dedicated to God and filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+What needs to happen so that the goal is reached and the whole world hears and understands the gospel? Let’s read God’s clear and vital words in Zechariah 4:6:
+
+“You will not succeed in what you intend to do, neither through human strength nor through the might of an army: **No, my Spirit will do it!** I promise, the Lord God Almighty.” (translated from the German version Hope for Everyone)
+
+This has always been true. And yet, it is even more important today. At the end of the world, similar circumstances to the time of Noah will prevail (Matthew 24:37-39). What was mankind’s main problem back then? Wickedness! (Genesis 6:5-6) Since human wickedness – meanwhile disguised and packaged well – has increased dramatically; we need empowerment from God in these times more urgently than ever before.
+
+### Where does the power and ability come from?
+
+Jesus said: “But you shall receive power [empowerment, equipped] **when the Holy Spirit has come upon you**; and you shall **be witnesses to Me** ...” (Acts 1:8 NKJV) Jesus refers to a supernatural power – God’s power.
+
+Let’s compare it to the power of electricity. With this power, we can illuminate, heat, cool and run many devices and motors, for example, computers, internet, radios, TVs, telephones, trains, electric cars and much more. Even when the seeds in the earth sprout, electricity plays a role. Energy is the foundation for everything. Everything takes place through the power of electricity.
+
+So, the foundation of our life and service is Christ in us through the Holy Spirit and the resulting power of God. Only this way can we be God’s witnesses – through our words and actions. The Holy Spirit and Christ in us are the prerequisites so that Jesus can reach people through us. During our time of training with Jesus, we will become His messengers of joy through Jesus’ leadership and guidance and be filled by the supernatural power of God.
+
+### What did Jesus clearly point out in his farewell address?
+
+**The Holy Spirit represents Jesus**
+
+“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7 NKJV)
+
+This means: **Jesus left. The Holy Spirit came in His place. Since then He has been here.**
+
+The Holy Spirit represents Jesus here on this earth. Jesus explained that this solution is better for us, than if He would have personally stayed.
+
+**Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit**
+
+“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18 NKJV)
+
+In other words: **The Holy Spirit brings the presence of Jesus into our lives** (Ephesians 3:16-17). Jesus can live in us through the Holy Spirit – no matter where we are.
+
+**The Holy Spirit is our teacher**
+
+“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26 NKJV)
+
+Meaning: **The Holy Spirit teaches us Jesus’ truth.** We need the Holy Spirit so that we can know the truth and differentiate it from error or enticement.
+
+**Through the Holy Spirit Jesus testifies of Himself in me and through me**
+
+“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” (John 15:26 NKJV)
+
+In other words:
+
+**Jesus bears witness of Himself in our lives through the Holy Spirit. And: The Holy Spirit imparts through us the testimony of Jesus to other people.**
+
+The Holy Spirit deepens my relationship with Jesus and makes it more cordial.
+
+**The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus**
+
+“He [the Holy Spirit] will glorify Me, for he will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:14 NKJV)
+
+That is, the Holy Spirit reveals the majesty and glory of the risen Christ and unveils the mysteries of the plan of salvation. Thus through the Holy Spirit leading step by step, Jesus becomes greater in my life; He will be nearer, lovelier, more precious, more meaningful: Jesus will become my everything.
+
+### As a consequence, what is the valuable result?
+
+“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it **more abundantly**.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+“...‘**If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.** He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But **this He spoke concerning the Spirit**, whom those believing in Him would receive. ...’” (John 7:37-39)
+
+Do you want more from life – a fulfilled life? Everyone longs for this, because our gracious God “has put eternity in their hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV). When you long for this, then Jesus will show you the way. He wants us to have a fulfilled life here and now. After His second coming, we can continue this life in a completely different dimension in God’s eternal kingdom. When Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit, then we will experience life in abundance (John 10:10; Ephesians 3:19; Colossians 2:9-10).
+
+In other words: **Jesus gives us an abundant life through the Holy Spirit.**
+
+Can our gracious Lord give us even more? The Holy Spirit is not only Jesus’ crowning gift for His disciples, which brings all the other gifts, but rather the Holy Spirit Himself is also the giver of gifts. I don’t want to live without this intimate relationship anymore! Do you want it as well?
+
+### How did Jesus work?
+
+“Morning by morning he communicated with his Father in heaven, **receiving from him daily a fresh baptism (infilling) of the Holy Spirit**.” (E.G. White, Signs of the Times, November 21, 1895, par. 3)
+
+First of all, Jesus sought the presence of the Father and then went filled with the Holy Spirit and under His guidance to the people.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me”. There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort.” (E.G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 143.3)
+
+Jesus was filled with God’s love through the Holy Spirit and did His best under the Spirit’s guidance to help people in their personal distress. In this way, He won their confidence and His invitation to follow Him fell on wellprepared ground.
+
+May our marvelous God help us all to become loving, efficient and Spirit-filled coworkers of Jesus and to continually grow therein.
+
+How to pray for the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit, to be sure that you have received, is dealt with in detail and practically in Steps to personal Revival – look at p. 205
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00b-introduction/00-introduction/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00b-introduction/00-introduction/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What is the result of efforts in God ́s work done in your own strength?`
+
+`2. Why were the disciples supposed to wait in Jerusalem after Jesus’ ascension? What did they do during this time?`
+
+`3. What does the Holy Spirit achieve in us with regard to our fellowmen?`
+
+`4. What are the results when we are filled with the Holy Spirit?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that God will show us where we are still trying to work for Him in our own strength.
+- [ ] for patience and endurance in letting God prepare you to be His instrument.
+- [ ] that we learn to increasingly know and love Jesus more. 4. ... for an open heart to ask and receive the Holy Spirit.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00b-introduction/00-introduction/info.yml b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00b-introduction/00-introduction/info.yml
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+title: "Spirit-filled Coworkers Of Jesus: How do you become one?"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00b-introduction/section.yml b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/00b-introduction/section.yml
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+title: Introduction
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/01-god-loves-you/01-god-loves-you.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/01-god-loves-you/01-god-loves-you.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,253 @@
+---
+title: God Loves You!
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> How can I experience the fullness of God’s love? What role does my trust in God play?
+
+### An unparalleled Revelation: GOD IS LOVE
+
+How do we know that God is truly love, that His character is love? God revealed this to us in a unique way – through the life and death of His Son Jesus Christ, who said: “... **He who has seen Me has seen the Father.** ... Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” (John 14:9-10 NKJV)
+
+So, God is like Jesus.
+
+The Bible tells the following about Jesus, when He lived here on this earth: He was trustworthy, because mothers gladly brought their children to Him; although He was poor, He shared everything He had with others; He healed the sick; He made no distinction of persons; He encouraged the despondent; He always took time, when someone needed His help – even in the night people came to Him and He helped anyone interested find eternal life. For this purpose, He had to suffer death as a substitute for every repentant sinner.
+
+The Bible says:
+
+“**Greater love** has **no one** than this, **than to lay down one’s life for his friends**.” (John 15:13 NKJV)
+
+Actually, Jesus did something even greater! **He died** for us **while we** were still **His enemies**: “... that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NKJV)
+
+He endured contempt and dreadful physical suffering for you and me. Why did He die earlier than those who were crucified with Him? He died earlier because of the burden of sin, because of your and my sin. It is simply unbelievable what a sacrificial, selfless and wonderful love He showed and still shows toward us!
+
+### The Matchless Love of God
+
+What is singular about God is that **not only does He have love, but rather He Himself is love**. What is the difference between having something and being something? Something that I have, can be lost or absent. Something that I am, is always existent in me. Since **God** is love, He **can only act out of love, even when it often doesn’t look like it at the moment**. There is an enormous difference – in relation to our thinking and actions – between us sinful, erring humans and our all-powerful, all-knowing and omnipresent God!
+
+**God’s love** (Greek: agape) **is the noblest and deepest kind of love that exists.** This love has its foundation in God’s character. It is not based on whether the recipient of this love is deserving (example: the love of the father for the prodigal son).
+
+We find how this love expresses itself in detail in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV.
+
+“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
+
+And since God is eternal, **this wonderful love is also eternal!**
+
+### The Human Capacity for Love was Weakened by Sin
+
+Sin has disfigured the image of God in humans and thereby also negatively affected their capacity for love. The further a person lives apart from God, the less capable he is of love and the more his egoistic nature manifests itself.
+
+Someone once described human love this way: I love you, so that you love me back. This seems to be true in many cases today. A small child very quickly realizes that the more often he is nice to Grandma, the more often he gets some sweets!
+
+Sinful humans are only capable of imperfect love. How wonderful that God wants to put His perfect love in our hearts!
+
+### God’s Goodness is His Love in Action
+
+Evidently, John never had the problem of doubting God’s perfect love – rather on the contrary. He experienced Jesus’ life and death. That is why he wrote: “**And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love**. ...” (1 John 4:16 NKJV)
+
+God’s character is love. His nature is love. His love determines all His actions. That is why all of His laws have originated under the influence of love. God has made the fullness of His love – this indescribable blessing – available to all of His creatures. He wants to demonstrate His goodness to everyone; **His goodness, which is His love in action**. God’s goodness is His helpful actions, which are determined by love. The word goodness implies: being good, willingness to help, friendliness and compassion. To put it another way: God’s goodness is giving, imparting and acting love.
+
+### Life in the Middle of God’s Love
+
+A father took a trip on the ocean with his son and wanted to explain God’s love to him. He said to his son: “Look as far as you can over the bow of the ship and then over the stern – that is how long God’s love is. And now look as far as you can to the left and then to the right. That is how wide God’s love is. Now look up into the endless heavens – that is how high God’s love is. Look down into the depths of the ocean – that is how deep God’s love is.” After a few moments the boy said very happily: “Papa, do you know what the best part of that is? We are in the middle!” – Let’s translate that to our spiritual lives and ask ourselves: When are we in the middle of God’s love? In other words:
+
+### How can we experience the fullness of God’s love or His goodness?
+
+The apostle Paul knew the answer. Please pay attention to the three steps he showed us:
+
+1. Power through His Spirit
+2. Christ dwells in us through faith
+3. Rooted in His love
+
+The result:
+
+You can grasp the magnitude of His love.
+
+“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power **through his Spirit** in your inner being, so that **Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith**. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, **to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ**.” (Ephesians 3:16–18 NIV)
+
+We can personally experience the complete fullness of God’s love and His goodness, when Christ lives by faith in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, when we have a personal relationship with Him. And the closer this relationship to Jesus is, the more a person grows in his surrender to Jesus, the more he will experience the fullness of God’s love!
+
+In regards to God’s love, I have often prayed: “Father, please let me better discern your love, your character and your gracious nature.” To my great delight, I have observed that God has time and again given me new insights about His love and also in this regard new experiences. And my relationship with Him has become more intimate. We are often not aware of the marvelous love and goodness, with which our heavenly Father pursues and surrounds us.
+
+He says to you and me: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; **Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.**” (Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV)
+
+Maybe you have detected completely different aspects of God’s love than I have; but one thing is certain: We are dealing with a topic here that we will be occupied with for eternity!
+
+### Is it even important to understand God’s character?
+
+Is it really necessary that I have a correct perception of God’s character? The answer is: Yes, it is actually extremely important! Here is the explanation: God asks me to surrender the leadership of my life to Him. God asks me to completely trust Him, yes, to bind my complete existence on Him. God asks me to do everything His word says. Nevertheless, I would only do this, if I find God trustworthy, loveable and understanding. Only when I have the right understanding of God’s wonderful character, will I be willing to surrender and commit myself. It is that way to a great extent in the western world. Many other people simply trust God’s love.
+
+### Why do some people have a completely wrong perception of God?
+
+The Austrian poet, Peter Rosegger, had the impression as a child that his father was very strict. One day he did something naughty. Because he was afraid his father would punish him, he hid in a large clock case in the living room. He could see through a crack and saw how his father came into the room and asked his servants to look for him. After they had left, his father started to cry. Peter couldn’t stand it any longer and came out of the clock case. The father didn’t even think of punishing him. Later Peter Rosegger wrote: “From then on I knew that my father wasn’t too strict.” From that moment, he knew what his father’s heart was like!
+
+Don’t a lot of people think just like Peter Rosegger did about his father – that he was too strict?! Some of us simply apply the picture we have of our earthly father to our heavenly Father. In most cases this is naturally wrong.
+
+Question: Where did the false perception of God and His character originate? Answer: in heaven. Lucifer was the first to falsely assess God’s character and present it to others incorrectly. To this day the evil ones endeavor to persuade people in every possible way to think badly about God’s character.
+
+### Caution with the Master of Deception!
+
+Satan has misled some to believe that God possess the evil characteristics, which in reality he himself has. By spreading the false teaching of eternal agony in hell, he has managed to bring some Christians to see God as a vengeful tyrant. As a result, he has succeeded in convincing many people in the church to not want to listen anymore and they prefer to occupy themselves with a philosophy, such as atheism, which explains God away. For easy-going people, who want to believe without their own Bible study in the love of God, Satan uses another tactic: God is so loving that we can do anything we want – in the end He will save everyone. (Salomon knew for a fact that God would in the end hold everyone accountable! Ecclesiastes 11:9) Satan tries to persuade the fearful that a Christian life is difficult, hard and joyless. (John said exactly the opposite! 1 John 5:3) He has a seemingly logical argument for the rich – they would have to give up much more than they would ever gain if they followed Jesus. (But we know that Paul had a completely different experience! Philippians 3:4) Satan encourages the superficial to think that God is too particular and fussy (Yes, God should be very generous with them, but for those that have harmed them, He should meticulously pay them back!) And Satan has led still others to think that the evolution theory appears plausible. He has influenced others to believe that God is only a weak, old man and is not to be taken seriously.
+
+**Satan repeatedly contrives something new to arouse a false conception of God in people’s minds** or to eliminate God from their thoughts. He knows exactly that: whoever doesn’t know or appreciate God’s true character, will hardly want anything to do with God. And that is exactly where he wants to have them.
+
+Roger Morneau wrote: “‘Demons love to play games with the minds of humans,’ a spiritist priest told me during my days as a spirit worshipper. ‘They flash thoughts and images in people’s minds with such delicate skill that the recipients believe them to be their own reasoning.’” (When you need incredible answers to prayer, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1995, p. 70)
+
+Satan and his demons try to manipulate the thoughts of those, who claim to be Christians, so that by their wrong thoughts and actions they falsely or insufficiently portray God’s character
+
+### A very Effective Temptation Device
+
+Satan wants to seduce as many people as possible! Not without reason did **Jesus clearly warn about the seduction**, which His followers would experience **in the end times**.
+
+The internet is an especially effective device to seduce people. No one can control the internet! In this way the evil one can strongly influence thoughts and actions, especially of young people. For example, a teenager can **at any time look at anything that interests him** in the internet. The parents basically have no control over it. What interests the most teenagers, when they are amongst themselves? The film industry has known it a long time: sex and violence. Unfortunately, not only teenagers are susceptible to these topics, but many adults as well. We need to constantly ask ourselves: Where am I in danger of being seduced by Satan?
+
+### God’s Love and our Freedom
+
+Our heavenly Father has inextricably linked His love with freedom. True love can only be completely expressed in freedom. Freedom is such a valuable asset for God that He **gave all His creatures** – the angels, inhabitants of other planets and us humans – **freedom**. We can decide **for or against God**. However, it also includes accepting the consequences for our decisions. So, the person that decides against God, has to bear the negative consequences themselves; and unfortunately, other people are also affected by the negative consequences
+
+### God’s Love and His Justice
+
+Because God is love, He will always deal justly. In His love God cannot accept that someone is cheated, beaten, raped or impaired in any other way. Hence, everyone, who has not repented of their wrong, will in the end have to **carry the guilt of their own sins**. God’s love places only the wrong a person has done on them. Each person determines their own measure. Since God loves sinners too, He would much rather see the sinner repent and let himself be saved. But when **the sinner** rejects the offer of salvation, then according to the Bible he will receive the “wages” for his sin: “For the wages of sin is [final] death.” (Romans 6:23 NIV)
+
+It is also in accordance with **God’s justice** that at the end of time the **faithful** are rewarded with **eternal life** (Revelation 22:12). They have accepted the offer of salvation: **Jesus has in their stead** taken the **punishment** for their sins on Himself (Isaiah 53:5).
+
+Since God doesn’t usually punish a person immediately when they sin, some people become bolder and over time sin even more. However, an unrepentant sinner has to bear the negative consequences of his actions during his lifetime. Sometimes, these negative consequences are hardly discernable or perceptible to this person, but they are always there.
+
+### God’s Love and the Suffering in this World
+
+When talking about this topic, people have a lot of questions. Suffering is a result of sin. But how sin could even come into existence in Lucifer is an absolute mystery for us. Lucifer – now called the devil or Satan – is by all means the cause of all suffering. And God is allowing him a certain degree of freedom for a certain time, so that everyone can see the consequences of sin. However, when the measure is full – and in my opinion it has almost reached that point – then Jesus will come and end all the suffering on earth. Based on their knowledge of where sin led, the saved will never again have the wish to sin. Then, there will again be unity, harmony and love in the whole universe. (For more information on the subject: E.G. White, The Great Controversy, chapter 29 “The Origin of Evil”)
+
+### Suffering Injustice – Doing Wrong
+
+There is a lot of injustice in this world because of sin. We usually have a lot to say about the topic of suffering injustice, since we often feel affected. We would prefer it, if God would always immediately intervene before any injustice happened to us. But then, the person, who wanted to do the injustice, could accuse God of taking away their freedom. That is why God only very, very seldomly intervenes directly. He alone knows when He has to act in order to prevent something worse from happening. (Example: Punishment of Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16). Only at the end of time will the faithful witness that: “**The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.**” (Psalms 103:6 NKJV)
+
+In general, we concern ourselves less with the topic of doing wrong. And usually, a Christian is more likely to suffer injustice than to do wrong. But let’s briefly think about what happens to us when we do wrong. Firstly, our conscience is burdened. Our conscience gives us a “signal” that we are on the wrong path. This “signal” should prompt us to repent. But when we don’t confess and forsake the sin, it will have a negative effect on our character. Furthermore, God’s peace leaves our hearts. And often the “sins of the parents” are passed on to their children.
+
+### Responding to Saving Love and Staying in it
+
+A wonderful path is open to us, namely to respond to God’s saving love right now. **“Today**, if you hear His voice, **do not harden your hearts** ...” (Hebrews 3:15 NKJV) **When we accept Jesus as our Savior and remain with Him**, then we may be certain that He has freed us from our guilt: “**Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness** ... .” (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV)
+
+The apostle John wrote: “God is love, and **he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him**.” (1 John 4:16 NKJV) The more intimate our relationship with Jesus is, the happier, the more satisfied and the more thankful we will be! And when we thank God, it always has a positive effect on us and our character. We are even influenced by our own words (The Desire of Ages, p. 322-323). But not only that – we are also influenced by what we see and hear. “By beholding we become changed.” (E.G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 459.1) This is why it is good when we under the influence of the Holy Spirit daily read the crucifixion story in the Bible and contemplate on it.
+
+When we abide in Christ, we will no longer wantonly sin. But should we accidentally or unknowingly commit a sin, then 1 John 2:1 applies: “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (NKJV )
+
+When we have Jesus, then we can say with Paul: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those **who are in Christ Jesus**. ... For the law of the Spirit [the life-giving influence of the Holy Spirit] of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 NKJV)
+
+This being-in-Christ means abiding in Him. This expression is found in the New Testament 170 times – 97 of those are in Paul’s writings. It is a different expression for being born again. Jesus said in John 3:5: “... unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he [= how someone is by nature] cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (NKJV)
+
+Let’s summarize: Whoever responds to God’s saving love day by day, will experience changes in their life and in the quality of their life, which they never knew before, and will in the end receive eternal life. I see this as the royal road of God’s love. His love wants to bless us daily and ultimately save us!
+
+### God’s Love Passes Every Test!
+
+Most of us are acquainted with the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. One day, the younger son goes to his father (who symbolizes God) and tells him that he wants to leave home and live his own life. Evidently, his father’s rules and regulations (God’s commandments) didn’t suit him. Before the son left, he demanded his inheritance, which he wasn’t even entitled to at this time. Nevertheless, the father gave him his share. The father gave him complete freedom, because he loved him. (This is the way God behaves with us.)
+
+The son went to a faraway place. He did anything he liked there. He spent his money on wild parties and loose women. When his money was almost gone, his “circle of friends” quickly became smaller. Eventually, he had nothing left. Then, to make matters worse, a famine hit the region where he was. In order to survive, he had to get a job. The only position he found was as a swineherd. Reluctantly, he took the job. Hunger often tormented him, but he wasn’t even allowed to eat the pig feed. During this hardship he thought about his life with his father and came to the following conclusion: All my father’s workmen have more than enough to eat and I am dying of hunger here. I will go to him and say: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” (verses 18-19 NKJV) (When we are sorry that we have sinned against our heavenly Father and we tell Him that, this is called “repentance” and “confession” in the Bible.) He started his trip back to his father with mixed feelings. The father already recognized his son at a great distance. Evidently, the father had been longingly watching for him. (Our heavenly Father waits with longing in the hope that we will no longer go our own ways, but rather come back to Him!) Full of compassion the father ran towards his son, fell on his neck and kissed him, although his son was quite dirty and smelled unpleasant. The son couldn’t even get his whole confession out, before the father called his servants. He told the servants to bring the best clothes and to prepare a feast. Clearly, the father loved his son just the same as before. (God loves unconditionally! This love passes every test!) But that doesn’t help us if we don’t live with him. The father couldn’t do anything for him when he wasn’t with him; even if he was sick or had big problems.
+
+### When is God’s love of importance to me?
+
+What caused the son to all at once appreciate his father’s love? It was only when he realized how good he had had it at home, that he wanted to go back to his father. The crisis brought him to his senses. Through his “hard life” his insolent attitude gave way to a realistic attitude. He saw that his alleged friends had “loved” his money instead of him. But his father had always treated him with love, even when he had given him a cold shoulder.
+
+And I am certain that after his father had received him with such love, that he never thought of going away again.
+
+**Now**, his father could show him his complete love. Only **now** was the son open to this love. Previously, the father had had to hold back his tokens of love, because the son had always been dismissive. But now there was nothing in the way of an intimate relationship between father and son!
+
+When I completely open myself to God, when I confess my guilt and commit my life to Him, then I can experience the complete fullness of His love!
+
+Only a person, who humbles himself before God and realizes that he doesn’t deserve to be loved by God (just as the younger son did when he returned home), can be a true son or daughter of God. Only those, who commit their lives to the Father, will in the end receive their inheritance – eternal life.
+
+### Praying for Love
+
+What should I do, if I sense only very little love for God and my neighbor? Well, we can pray for anything, including praying that we receive more love for God and our neighbors. Our prayer could go something like this: “Dear Father, please help me to love you with my whole heart, with my whole being, with all my emotions and with all my strength. Please work in me to will and to do according to your good pleasure in this matter. I also want to be able to love my fellow humans more. And also help me to be able to love myself. Thank you that I can experience your complete love. Make me a channel of your love for my surroundings. Amen.” (We can pray that God enables us to fulfill Matthew 22:37, 39!)
+
+### Education, Wrath and Judgement
+
+Every person that commits themselves to God, will be educated by Him. Our **education** is an important matter to God. It is **an attribute of His love** that He enrolls us in His “school”. He wants to make loveable, capable and independent people out of us, although the kind of educational measures He uses, depends largely on how well we learn. When we think of young Samuel, he was from the start certainly a very good student in God’s eyes. Because he trusted God, he was eager to learn and was obedient to his “teacher” Eli, before any unpleasant educational measures were necessary. This had a very positive effect on him and his environment. The Bible says: “But Samuel ministered before the Lord. ... And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men.” (1 Samuel 2:18,26 NKJV) In contrast, Eli’s own sons were not obedient students: “Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father. ...” (1 Samuel 2:25 NKJV) And thus it happened that they came to a bad end. They incurred God’s wrath due to their sacrilegious priestly ministry.
+
+Another **attribute of God’s love** is **His wrath**. At first that may sound strange, but we need to remember that God’s wrath isn’t equivalent to human wrath. Our ego usually plays a crucial role in human wrath. On the other hand, God’s wrath is generally directed towards sin or sinful behavior (Romans 1:18), because what sin brings about is horrible.
+
+A further **attribute of God’s love** is that He **judges every person justly**. Only He is capable of doing this, because He knows everything about everyone. David already knew that: “God is a just judge.” (Psalm 7:11 NKJV) And: “**Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.**” (Psalms 97:2 NKJV)
+
+Each of us has the possibility of doing anything we like. But the Bible warns us: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. **For God will bring every work into judgement**, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV) Since most people in this day and age don’t heed this warning, there is a lot of suffering in this world. Jesus knew things would turn out this way and therefore foretold about our time: “**And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold**.” (Matthew 24:12 NKJV) In difficult times, the knowledge that God’s justice will triumph in the end, fortifies us.
+
+### Support during stormy times: God’s law – a law of love
+
+Many people live without God; they consider themselves the measure of all things. That is why more and more values are lost today. Standards, which were once valid, have been forgotten. As a result, more and more people are losing their hold on life and are becoming psychologically ill or end their own lives, because everything appears meaningless. We need something stable and reliable for our life; we need standards and trustworthy regulations. The poet, Matthias Claudius, said it this way: “People need something solid, where they can lay at anchor. Something that doesn’t depend on them, but rather something they can depend on.” (Matthias Claudius, Edition Steinkopf, 1982, p. 10)
+
+Who, if not our Creator, knows best what rules are good for us! The Bible not only says that God is the only one, who can determine, what is right and good for us (Psalms 99:4), but also says that His rules are unparalleled and will last for eternity: “All His precepts are **sure**. **They stand fast forever and ever**, and are done in **truth** and **uprightness**.” (Psalms 111:7-8 NKJV)
+
+Every believer of every age has had a positive relationship to God’s law. Let’s take David for example; he made many interesting statements about God’s law: “**The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul**.” (Psalms 19:7 NIV) “T**he law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces**.” (Psalms 119:72 RSV) “**If thy law had not been my delight, I should have perished in my affliction**.” (Psalms 119:92 RSV) On one hand, God’s law is an expression of His love, and on the other hand, according to Paul: “... **love is the fulfillment of the law**.” (Romans 13:10 NKJV)
+
+### The new Commandment: Love like Jesus
+
+Jesus gave His disciples – and through them also us, who believe – a new commandment. He said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; **as I have loved you**, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 NKJV)
+
+Jesus calls us, indeed He commands us, to love “**as I have loved you**”. That means that we should have the same love as Jesus. What kind of love is meant here? It is the kind of love that the Father shows to His Son, Jesus Christ. It is the kind of love that the Son demonstrated on the cross when He died for us. God has made this divine, unconditional, unselfish and eternally unchanging love available to us through the Holy Spirit in Christ. The Bible says clearly: “... the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit ...” (Romans 5:5 NKJV; see also Ephesians 3:16-17) In other words: When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are simultaneously filled with God’s love.
+
+So, loving like Jesus means: loving with divine love (agape). Ellen White said quite a bit about this – here are three short quotes: “Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another – this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent power. The unconsecrated heart [everyone, who is not filled with the Holy Spirit, has one] cannot originate or produce it. Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found.” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 551.2) “You need a daily baptism of the love that in the days of the apostles made them all of one accord.” (Counsels for the Church, p.175.3). Daily asking for and receiving the Holy Spirit leads to a simultaneous baptism of love – being filled with God’s love. “By putting on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, ninety-nine out of a hundred of the troubles which so terribly embitter life might be saved.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 348.3)
+
+### Without Love Everything is Nothing!
+
+At first glance, this statement seems to be somewhat exaggerated. But when we take a look at 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, then we will quickly realize that the statement is true: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (NKJV) What can we learn from this? Only when our actions are governed by love, is it worthwhile in the eyes of God. The following poem points in the same direction:
+
+### Without Love Something Essential is Missing!
+
+_Obligation without love is fretful, Responsibility without love is inconsiderate Justice without love is severe, Truth without love is critical, Education without love is stubborn, Intelligence without love is sly Friendliness without love is two-faced, Order without love is petty, Expertise without love is opinionated, Honor without love isproud, Possessions without love ismiserly Faith without love is fanatical. (Author unknown)_
+
+We can see that without love – divine love is meant – our actions and existence can basically only bring unsatisfactory results.
+
+It is crucial that **everything we do, is done out of love to God and our neighbor**. We will be able to do this, if Christ lives in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
+
+It is also important **that we** grow in love through God’s character of love.
+
+## Love in the deepest Dimension
+
+The greatest need of man is to love and be loved. The relationship between God and a believer is compared to a good marriage in the Bible (Isaiah 54:5; Ephesians 5:32). What denotes a good marriage here on this earth? The partners try to make each other happy, they spend as much time as they can together, they talk about everything that touches their hearts, they repeatedly reassure each other how much they love each other and there is an exchange of affection.
+
+There is a relationship that everyone can have – whether married or not – which goes deeper than a marriage relationship between a man and woman. It is my relationship to my Redeemer and God: to Jesus Christ! I can experience through Jesus the greatest possible security, helpfulness and the deepest love. He is absolutely trustworthy and selfless. Jesus never disappoints me! His love is unchanging! He has time for me day or night. I don’t need any technical aids to communicate with Him. No problem is too great for Him – He always has a solution prepared for me. He shows me in His word how much He loves me! He engaged the best bodyguards for my personal protection; I am looking forward to the day when I can meet these angels! And because Jesus loves me, He wants me to soon be with Him forever! He paid the highest price for my “change of residence” and has already prepared an extraordinary mansion for me. He cries for me, when I harm myself! And He is looking forward to finally taking me into His arms, when I am one day with Him in the New Jerusalem!
+
+Can you imagine a greater love than this?! I can’t!
+
+### Love and Faithfulness belong together
+
+Did you know that God is jealous sometimes? Yes, you read that correctly! In the book of Nahum 1:2 it says: “God is jealous ...” (NKJV)
+
+The question is what makes Him jealous? An answer is in Ezekiel 16. It is worthwhile to read the whole chapter in context. I have singled out verses 8 and 15: “... ‘Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine [Jerusalem = God’s people],’ says the Lord God. ... But you trusted in your own beauty, played the harlot because of your fame, and poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who would have it.” (NKJV)
+
+We see here what makes God jealous: namely when His children engage in **spiritual harlotry**. But we have to realize that **God’s jealousy** is different than human jealousy. It is the same as with God’s wrath. The motives for His jealousy and His wrath are absolutely noble and **completely selfless. He is concerned about our protection!** He wants us to thrive. Through His jealousy, He **wants to protect** us from running after other gods. He knows that it would only harm us. Present-day gods can be, for example: my favorite singer, my car, my house, my career, my hobby – anything I love more than God.
+
+By letting us know that He jealously watches over us, He wants to show us that the relationship with us means a lot to Him! He would be very sad to lose us.
+
+Our God wants us to “keep our spiritual marriage pure”.
+
+Imagine, if a man said to his wife after a year of marriage: “Although we are married, as of now I will be somewhere else two days a week.” Understandably, his wife isn’t likely to accept this!
+
+And God also can’t accept it, when we don’t keep our “marriage promise”. He is faithful to us and expects the same from you and me. (Baptismal vows!) He longs for our undivided love. That is why the Bible’s message is so clear: Be completely His, or let it be!
+
+### God’s love is a blessing for all people
+
+There is a general blessing for everyone. Everyone receives blessings corresponding to their behavior. When someone works diligently, he won’t go hungry as a rule. When someone leads an honest lifestyle, he will enjoy the trust of many people. When someone is helpful, he will be appreciated. These natural blessings apply to all people, regardless if they are believers or not.
+
+We know from experience – and the Bible confirms this – that God lets the sun rise over good and bad people, that He lets it rain over the just and the unjust and that He lets food grow for everyone, which we unfortunately do not distribute fairly. In addition, the Holy Spirit follows every person in order to encourage them to surrender their lives to Jesus. God wants to save as many people as possible!
+
+Besides these general, natural blessings for all people, there are **special, supernatural blessings**, which God can only give “**His children**”. They are the ones, who have surrendered their lives to Jesus and commit themselves daily to Him!
+
+**Each person decides for himself**, whether he receives only the general blessing of God or the general **AND** special, supernatural blessing of God. Love is always tied to a person. There is no love without a relationship. What type of relationship is relevant here? The Bible compares our relationship with God through Jesus Christ to marriage. Jesus is the extremely lovely and faithful partner. So life in the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19) depends on whether I have entrusted my life to Jesus. If I do not trust myself to Him or have not stayed in this relationship, I am rejecting His affection and love and special, supernatural blessing at the same time.
+
+We can read in the Bible what these special blessings are:
+
+- The coronation gift of Christ, which brings all other blessings with it, the Holy Spirit
+- A new life with Christ in our heart
+- Obtaining forgiveness for all our guilt
+- Experiencing and growing in the fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – Galatians 5:22 NKJV – our character changes and grows.
+- God’s guidance
+- Receiving special physical and mental strength
+- Assurance of salvation
+- An angel, who accompanies and assists us
+- Receiving eternal life.
+
+**The believer** is richly **blessed** with the general and the special, supernatural blessings: “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19 NKJV); “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV) Not until we have experienced these special blessings, is our life fulfilled as God wanted. It is a life, in which we get to know and appreciate more and more aspects of God’s love.
+
+I want to close this study of God’s love with a prayer from Paul found in Ephesians 3:16-19:
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. AMEN.”
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. Why can we be sure that God is really love?`
+
+`2. Why is it so important to know God’s character? What are the possible consequences of having a false concept of God?`
+
+`3. What difference is there between the general blessings and the special, supernatural blessings from God?`
+
+`4. How can I “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”? (Ephesians 3:17 NIV)`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] for an understanding heart to perceive God’s character.
+- [ ] for a clean and obedient heart.
+- [ ] for divine love, which transforms us into His image.
+- [ ] for God’s special, supernatural blessing.
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+title: "Chapter 1: God Loves You!"
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+---
+title: God’s Ingenious Way
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Serving, helping, giving, blessing! Why and what for? Willingness – a mindset in accordance with God’s heart
+
+### Who do I follow? The spirit of the time or God’s word
+
+From what perspective do we look at the topic “service” – from the world’s or from the divine? A “natural” person wants others to serve him, without being willing to be of service himself. It is the same for a “carnal” Christian. The pharisees and scribes at the time of Jesus had the same mentality (see Matthew 23:4-7). But Jesus calls us to something different: “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11 NKJV) Most people think that this kind of behavior is disadvantageous. But exactly the opposite is true!
+
+### Helping helps
+
+Small children want to “help” their parents. Why is it good when parents gladly accept it, even though at first the “help” makes more work? Well, the child grows in his practical and mental abilities through his “helping” or “serving”. He is glad about everything he can do, even though the initial results are often a bit odd. The more often the child can “help”, the better the results will be. And the day will come when the child is suddenly a real help to his parents. The child has developed a skill. And when the child is allowed to help in many different areas, then he will grow to be a capable person.
+
+What would happen if the parents didn’t allow the child to “help”? The child would become frustrated and it would be much more difficult for the child to learn to cope with life.
+
+### Jesus’ coworkers – why and what for?
+
+Jesus, our great example, came to this earth: “... to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NKJV)
+
+Why did Jesus institute the foot washing just before His baptism of suffering? Up to this point, His disciples still hadn’t understood that they should emulate Jesus’ life – His life of selfless service. “At this last Passover supper, Jesus repeated His teaching by an illustration that impressed it forever on their minds and hearts.” (Desire of Ages, p. 642.2 – egwwritings.org).
+
+Might it be possible that we too still haven’t understood the real meaning of the foot washing?
+
+The psalmist invites us: “Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” (Psalms 100:2 NKJV). At first glance, we think that serving and gladness don’t fit together, right? Think again about how children “want to help”. The child experiences joy, when he can “help” or “serve”.
+
+God knows that service is good for us. E.G. White comments on this:
+
+“**Divine wisdom has appointed, in the plan of salvation, the law of action and reaction, making the work of beneficence, in all its branches, twice blessed. He that gives to the needy blesses others, and is blessed himself in a still greater degree.** God could have reached His object in saving sinners without the aid of man; but He knew **that man could not be happy without** acting a part in the great work in which he would be cultivating self-denial and benevolence. **That man might not lose the blessed results of benevolence, our Redeemer formed the plan of enlisting him as His coworker.**” (Testimony Treasures, vol. 1, p. 360.4-361.1)
+
+What astonishing thoughts does this quote contain? Let’s take a closer look at it:
+Doing good in any manner is doubly blessed: Both the giver and the recipient receive a blessing.
+
+- In the process, the giver receives a greater blessing than the recipient. He experiences: that practicing self-denial and showing goodwill to others refines the character and makes us happy.
+- Furthermore, many contacts are made to people in this way, which in some cases can lead to genuine friendships.
+- Being a true co-worker for God also means leading people to Jesus. This strengthens our faith and creates deep joy within us.
+
+An experience from Bolivia:
+
+Doubly blessed by sharing – What incredible blessings I have received from reading this book (Steps to Personal Revival)! Every morning during our devotional time, I share the thoughts with our mission school students. Through the preparation and passing it on, I am blessed twice as much as you. In God’s kingdom, it always works like this: the giver always receives more than the recipient. (D. K. Bolivia / South America #9/132)
+
+### Serving, giving, helping!
+
+Since not only “natural” people don’t like to serve, but “carnal” Christians as well, generally most church members first have to be made ready for service. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is vital for this change, since He brings about a different attitude. The Bible speaks very clearly about this task: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV)
+
+Leaders have the task of teaching people about the preparation for service (Christ living in your heart through the Holy Spirit) and about the meaning of service (for ourselves and others). This presupposes that they have a life with the Holy Spirit, as well as being an example and having competence to give practical instruction in certain areas. Thereby, God blesses the leaders and the church is blessed through them. And the church will be built up by the service of the members within and outside of the church. Besides the verse mentioned at the beginning, Matthew 20:28, there are an array of other texts, which show us that serving, giving and helping are blessed activities:
+
+“**Give, and it will be given to you**: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measure back to you.” (Luke 6:38 NKJV)
+
+“**One person gives freely, yet gains even more**; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; **whoever refreshes others will be refreshed**.” (Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV)
+
+“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And **He will pay back what he has given**.” (Proverbs 19:17 NKJV)
+
+“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and **whoever sows generously will also reap generously**. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV) It is best to read from verse 6 to verse 15.
+
+Here are also two quotes from E.G. White on the topic of service:
+
+“Those who reject **the privilege of fellowship with Christ in service**, reject the only training that imparts a fitness for participation with Him in His glory.” (Education, p. 264.3)
+
+“Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessing can be retained only as it is shared.” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 148.4)
+
+### A Standstill is a Step Backwards
+
+**Why** do many church members **experience no spiritual growth? Why** does the **faith** of many in fact **decrease** over time? **Why** do many **not enjoy reading God’s Word** anymore? And **why** do many no longer have the **fire of the first love**? There is only one answer for me: Because they are living as carnal Christians. **Because they have neglected their relationship with Jesus**, all of the above-mentioned negative results appear! An intensive love relationship with Jesus protects us from egoism and motivates us to serve others. As a result, we are in turn blessed!
+
+Primarily, it doesn’t mean that we are as active as possible in the church, rather that our **actions are Spirit-led**. For that to happen, Jesus has to live in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
+
+Unfortunately, many Christians haven’t completely understood this; they think they have to be active in the church so that God will accept them as His children in the first place. But it is just the opposite: **A true child of God will out of their love and gratitude to Him delight to do something**. At the same time, a life with the Holy Spirit will motivate him as well. God has a task or multiple tasks for every person. When we ask Him to use us in His service, then He will show us our task(s)!
+
+It is important that each of us examine ourselves: Am I a reborn Christian, am I “in Christ Jesus”? If yes, then we will know that Jesus Christ, who we submit our lives to every morning, lives in us and can work through us.
+
+But if we have to answer the question above with no, then we should immediately go to Jesus and ask Him to come into our lives through the Holy Spirit! Take enough time every day for your relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit! Thereby, we receive the right mindset and attitude, which we need in order to keep our first love or to recapture it, to enjoy reading God’s Word and to grow spiritually.
+
+“To live for self is to perish. Covetousness, the desire of benefit for self’s sake, cuts the soul off from life. It is the spirit of Satan to get, to draw to self. It is the spirit of Christ to give, to sacrifice self for the good of others. ... Wherefore He (Jesus) says, ‘Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.’” (E.G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 259.1-2)
+
+### The Law of Service – a vital matter
+
+We often don’t realize that the statement in the heading above is really true. E.G. White comments:
+
+“All things both in heaven and in earth declare that the great law of life is a law of service. The infinite Father ministers to the life of every living thing. Christ came to the earth “as He that serveth.” (Luke 22:27) The angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14) The same **law of service** is written upon all things in nature. ... As each thing in nature ministers thus to the world’s life, it also secures its own. “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38), is the lesson written no less surely in nature than in the pages of Holy Writ.” (E.G. White, Education, p. 103.2-3, egwwritings.org)
+
+After this explanation, I would like to share an example from everyday life, which illustrates the **law of service**:
+
+A worker at a carpentry workshop built furniture. He received monthly wages from the company management for his work. The worker **“serves”** the company, but he is also **“rewarded”**. There is give and take on both sides, because: It is true that the company management gives the worker money, in other words they **“serve”** him, but on the other hand, they also receive a **“reward”** in the form of furniture.
+
+Ultimately, the worker isn’t only rewarded with money, rather he also experiences satisfaction and joy for a job well done. And a conscientious worker will always strive to do the best job possible. (The text in Colossians 3:17 applies especially to a **spiritual-minded Christian worker**: “And whatever you do in word or deed, **do** all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (NKJV) And in the course of time the worker’s knowledge about furniture fabrication will continue to grow and his abilities will also continue to improve.
+
+The company management also experiences satisfaction and joy and income is generated when they sell the manufactured furniture. They also will in time expand their knowledge about furniture fabrication and improve their sales strategy.
+
+### Service – Delight or Burden?
+
+Most people more likely associate the word service with the word burden than with delight. Why is that? It obviously correlates with the experiences they have personally made with service.
+
+Here is an interesting observation:
+
+“The **service** of Christ is **not drudgery** to the **fully consecrated soul**.... It will be no unpleasant task to be obedient to the will of God **when we yield ourselves fully to be directed by His Spirit**.” (E.G. White, Testimony Treasures, vol. 1, p. 357.2,3)
+
+So it depends on our relationship with Christ, as to how we evaluate service. And then again, our inner attitude depends on if we are filled with the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:5) Only by continuously receiving the Holy Spirit can Jesus permanently live in our hearts. Jesus said Himself: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4 NKJV) And when He abides in us, then we will be able to serve without effort and it will even give us joy!
+
+That is why it is so important to daily take the two vital steps:
+
+- every morning ask by faith (preferably with a promise) that God fills you with the Holy Spirit. And
+- tell Jesus that you are placing your whole life at His disposal. (The Desire of Ages, p. 676)
+
+When God uses us in His service, when He leads us, then He will give us the tasks **that He prepared for us**. But not only the task, but also at the same time the abilities needed!
+
+(Reading recommendation: Steps to Christ, chapter 9: “The Work and the Life”).
+
+### Service – under Jesus’ yoke
+
+Jesus said: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 NKJV)
+
+First, let’s clarify the term “yoke”. What is it? A yoke connects two oxen so that they can serve together in front of a wagon or plow. Jesus wants to encourage us with the picture to work closely together with Him. We are, so to speak, harnessed together with Jesus. He wants to connect with us for joint service. What a privilege this is! He invites us to learn from Him, because He is the master. In verse 30 there are encouraging words: “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NKJV) This verse tells me that Jesus won’t overwhelm us, when we “take the yoke” together with Him. In the process, He carries the responsibility, He carries the brunt of the work. And because this is so, He could then say that the load we have to carry is light.
+
+### Service and Witness
+
+Morris Venden explains the difference between service and witness:
+
+“The word **service** describes our **conduct**, while the word **witness** has to do with **what we are** and **what we say**. The purpose of our service for other people is to help them in their life, so that they are then open to accept the good news of the gospel. By our service we can witness effectively of God’s love through our nature and conduct and share what a wonderful friend and Savior we have found in Jesus.”
+
+(Why Didn’t They Tell Me? Sharing Jesus Isn’t Something We Do. It’s Who We Are. PPPA 2005)
+
+### A special Service: Witnessing
+
+In Mark 5:1-20 there is an interesting story. Jesus healed a demon-possessed man. After he was freed, the man wanted to stay with Jesus and His disciples. But Jesus didn’t let him and gave him a special task: “... Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” (Verse 19 NKJV) What did the healed man do? “And he departed and began and to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.” (Verse 20 NKJV)
+
+E.G. White comments (according to Matthew 8:28-34 there were two men):
+
+“... they went throughout Decapolis, everywhere declaring His power to save, and describing how He had freed them from the demons. **In doing this work they could receive a greater blessing than if, merely for benefit to themselves, they had remained in His presence.** It is in working to spread the good news of salvation that we are brought near to the Saviour.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 339.4)
+
+The two healed men performed their task with joy. Why wasn’t it a burden for them? Because their hearts were full of love and gratitude towards Jesus. As the saying goes: “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” And they not only told their families what Jesus had done for them, but they shared it in the whole vicinity. Why? We can find a good answer in the book Steps to Christ: “...the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart. If we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and are filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our peace. **If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good we shall have something to tell.**” (E.G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 78.2)
+
+Yes, these healed men had a lot to tell! They were filled with joy over their deliverance. And they wanted to **share their joy with as many people as possible**. Thereby they experienced an additional blessing: “... because the joy we give, returns to our own heart.” (German proverb)
+
+### Coworkers with God – Coworkers with the Angels
+
+Angels also participate in this service:
+
+“All who engage in ministry are God’s helping hand. **They are co-workers with the angels**; rather, they are the human agencies through whom the angels accomplish their mission. Angels speak through their voices, and work by their hands. And the human workers, co-operating with heavenly agencies, have the benefit of their education and experience. As a means of education, what “university course” can equal this?” (E.G. White, Education, p. 271.1)
+
+Whether a mother trains her children in the name of Jesus or if someone holds evangelistic meetings, what is crucial is that Christ works through the Holy Spirit in us.
+
+### Service Is A Vital Part Of Our Preparation For The Second Coming
+
+Jesus left us valuable information about His second coming in Matthew 24 and 25. First, He spoke about the signs and then about the manner of His coming. Even though Jesus gave us the signs of His coming, it will still come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. (Matthew 24:43-44) Because this is the case, Jesus said: “**Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming**.” (Matthew 24:42 NKJV) Next Jesus illustrated what it means to be vigilant and prepared with different parables. Let’s take a look at the parables.
+
+### Two Possible Courses of Conduct for a Steward (Matthew 24:45-51):
+
+Let’s assume that a steward receives the task of caring for the other employees during the absence of his boss. When the boss returns and finds the steward **diligently doing his work**, then he will give this dependable person even greater responsibilities.
+
+But if that steward were **unreliable** and thinks that he has a lot of time before his boss returns and therefore can arrange numerous feasts and drinking sessions instead of working, then the boss’s return will completely surprise him. The boss would then punish this steward.
+
+**Jesus illustrates here that it is important to perform the tasks, which God has given us. In this way, we are preparing ourselves for His coming.**
+
+### Two Groups of Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13):
+
+Ten bridesmaids were waiting for the groom. They had oil lamps with them, because it got dark. Five of them were **wise** and had **extra oil** for their lamps with them. The other five were **foolish**; they had **not taken an extra supply of oil** along. The groom’s arrival was delayed longer than they all expected. All of them became tired and fell asleep. When the groom suddenly arrived at midnight, the five foolish women didn’t have enough oil along to keep their lamps alight. The wise bridesmaids went with the groom to the celebration hall, while the others still were trying to obtain some oil. Later, when they knocked on the closed door, they were not let in anymore.
+
+**Jesus illustrates here that we need to be filled sufficiently with the Holy Spirit in order to be truly prepared for His coming. Those who had “not taken an extra supply” were lost.**
+
+### Manage the Entrusted Money (Matthew 25:14-30):
+
+A businessman wanted to take a trip and called together his employees in order to entrust them with his assets. During his absence each person should manage their allocated money well. Two employees worked diligently with the money, but one employee did absolutely nothing with the money. When the businessman returned, he rewarded the two diligent men, but punished the lazy one.
+
+**Jesus illustrates here that with the right attitude towards God we should utilize our spiritual gifts as well as our natural abilities in service for Him. Whoever does this will not be lost!**
+
+A quote from E.G. White relating to this: “The talents that Christ entrusts to His church represent especially the gifts and blessings imparted by the Holy Spirit. ... It includes all gifts and endowments, whether original or acquired, natural or spiritual. All are to be employed in Christ’s service.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 327.1, 328.2)
+
+### The Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46):
+
+When Jesus comes again, He will divide people into two groups, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He places the sheep to His **right**. They are the **ones who “served” their fellow human beings**, who exercised practical brotherly love. He places the others to His **left**. They are the **ones who haven’t helped others**, where help was needed.
+
+Jesus said in verse 40: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (NKJV)
+
+**Jesus shows us here: His true followers naturally do only good for their fellow men. It has become their “nature”. They are often completely unaware of this!**
+
+Isn’t it amazing that Spirit-filled service belongs to our wakefulness and preparation for Jesus’ second coming?
+
+Jesus’ statement – that when we serve others, we are doing it to Him – should make a positive change in our attitude towards service and thus our relationship to others. Just imagine that you could invite Jesus over for a meal or visit Him in the hospital or prison. Jesus said we are doing exactly that when we demonstrate this labor of love to the people in our neighborhood. What an amazing possibility we have to show Jesus’ our love! (Bible Study Guide, 3rd quarter 2019, lesson for August 22)
+
+### Do we have to earn heaven?
+
+**NO!!!** We are saved by grace: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
+
+The text clearly says that our salvation happens on God’s side through grace and on our side through faith. Paul wrote to the Ephesians (as quoted above) that they were saved by grace through faith. **Salvation has already taken place: we were saved at the moment we completely surrendered ourselves to Jesus**. According to the Bible faith means to entrust ourselves. **When we stay in this relationship of trust, then we remain saved**. And our desire to serve is a fruit – a result of our salvation.
+
+Let’s also look at a text in Romans 8:24: “For we were saved in this hope ...” (NKJV) What does this mean? We have indeed been saved, however God hasn’t bound us to Himself. We can free ourselves from this connection at any time. The Bible says that just before the second coming there will be an “examination” in heaven to see who has a relationship with their Heavenly Father or not (see Matthew 22:1-14).
+
+### A Summary of what Service accomplishes
+
+Spirit-filled, consecrated disciples of Christ gain through their service joy and strength, their practical, mental and spiritual abilities increase and their character is positively developed in accordance with God’s wishes and to their best interest. Step by step selfishness loses its power. My life becomes attractive to other people. They can discern a different, appealing lifestyle. This creates good conditions for witnessing about what Jesus has done for me and in me. My service helps others, so that they experience an improvement or relief. He is happy with his experience with me. He passes it on and often multiplication takes place. And I am safeguarded against wilting or losing my faith. And the chance that the recipient will open his heart for the gospel increases.
+
+Now we want to take a look at an attitude, which can bring us great relief in many questions of life. It has to do with our willingness to follow our Lord Jesus in everything, which includes serving, giving, helping and blessing. With God it doesn’t matter how big the talent (giving, serving, helping) is, but rather it depends on our willingness. He is delighted with everything a person can give and doesn’t require from us what we don’t have. (2 Corinthians 8:12)
+
+### Our Willingness Matters To God – He Wants To Bestow Us With It
+
+**Why is it extremely important for us to be ready to do God’s will?** Very simple, because we would suffer a great loss without this willingness. We want to take a closer look at this.
+
+As already mentioned, due to our sinful human nature we are often unwilling and unable in our own strength to do God’s will.
+
+Consider the following: **God loves us** with His unselfish love. **He wants the best for us.** He is **acquainted with our character** and **our present situation**. Since He is all-knowing, **He also knows what will happen in the future**. When we take this all into consideration, it is doubtless the most sensible and at the same time, the most advantageous thing for us to follow His will in His strength. Jesus says in John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NKJV)
+
+He wants to lead on the best path – specially tailored to our personality and the present day. In order for Him to be able to lead us, we have to be willing. **When we ask Him for a willing spirit, then He will create the willingness in us. He makes our spirit willing**. Since the inward man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16), it is also important to daily pray for a willing spirit. We can pray as follows:
+
+**“Lord, make me willing to be ready for everything that you want.”**
+
+God is pleased when we allow Him to lead us. For God, it is just like parents, who are happy when their child is willingly obedient.
+
+### In general, what is willingness and how does it manifest itself?
+
+**Willingness** is an **inner attitude of openness**. It is an attitude, which requires a humble and teachable spirit.
+
+I want to share **an example of a lack of willingness** to learn: It’s about Dr. Semmelweis. In 1840 Vienna was an important center for medicine. But at the university clinic’s maternity ward, one out of every six women, who had just given birth, died. In 1840 when the young medical doctor Dr. Semmelweis took over the leadership of the ward, he noticed that exactly those women died, who had been examined by a doctor, who had just previously done an autopsy. Back then the doctors didn’t wash their hands after examining a corpse. So, Dr. Semmelweis first ordered that hands were to be washed after every autopsy and then later after examining every patient. The results were astounding: There was a 14-fold improvement! Hardly any women died anymore. **But the professors and medical doctors were too proud to acknowledge this success!** There was a storm of protest against the “senseless” hand washing. Dr. Semmelweis’ employment contract wasn’t renewed and the sinks in the patient’s room, which he had had installed, were torn out. As a result, the death rate of the women went back to what it had been. Dr. Semmelweis left Vienna and went to Budapest. There he repeated his method of procedure. But again, his colleagues turned against him.
+
+### Without Divine Wisdom, often no Willingness exists
+
+Dr. Semmelweis’ experience illustrates the fact that we can act very foolishly because of pride and prejudice, even if we are highly intelligent. Foolishness is the opposite of wisdom. Nowadays, a lot of importance is placed on the intelligence of a person and on his powers of reasoning. The term wisdom has more or less been pushed into the background; but in God’s word great significance is attached to wisdom (see Proverbs, chapters 8 and 9). The Bible says something interesting in Psalm 111:10: “**The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding**.” NIV This is speaking about divine wisdom here. And someone, whose life is led by God, that is a God-fearing person, demonstrates good understanding – at least that is what the above-mentioned text says. We could also say that precisely someone, who lives with God, behaves intelligently! That is exactly opposite of what most people believe today. Modern people think that giving up God and religion is proof of their intelligence. What a delusion! It hits the mark in Romans 1:22: “Professing to be wise, they became fools.” (NKJV)
+
+Human wisdom – also called philosophy – is, as are all works of men, imperfect. We can see it alone in the fact that leading philosophers contradict each other in their perceptions of the meaning of life, the essence of the world and the place of humans on the earth. (More: Eta Linnemann, Wissenschaft oder Meinung? – Hänssler 1986)
+
+In the Bible God says the following about human wisdom: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:19-20 NIV) It is interesting that this text also mentions the “teachers of the law”. Today we call them theologians or pastors. It may well be that they are teaching only on the basis of their human intelligence and for this reason are called fools by God. Or when they study the Bible only with their human understanding, without being led by the Holy Spirit, then the findings they pass on are probably also of a questionable nature.
+
+In conclusion: **Only the person, regardless if they have a religious occupation or not, who lives a life filled with the Holy Spirit, will be able to be a wise person. And only a wise person will be willing to do God’s will!**
+
+### How does willingness manifest itself or how does a willing spirit manifest itself in spiritual areas?
+
+When Jesus lived on this earth, He showed this willingness. He taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer: “Your will be done.” He Himself lived according to this principle too. Even during the difficult situation **in the Garden of Gethsemane, He showed a willing spirit**. Three times He prayed: “... nevertheless, **not as I will, but as You will**.” (Matthew 26:39 NKJV) The believers in Berea are another example of this kind of willingness. They listened to the preaching of the gospel by Paul with an open spirit. We read in Acts 17:11 NKJV: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
+
+When we have a willing spirit towards God and His word, then we will carefully examine everything we read, hear and see. When the information conforms with God’s will, then we can accept it and put it into practice.
+
+### What can hinder a person from having a willing attitude towards God?
+
+Romans 8:5 NIV says: “**Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires**; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
+
+Today we speak about being programmed for this or that. The actions of a **natural person and a carnal Christian** are determined by their selfishness. Pride, prejudice as well as occult exposure can hinder us from being open towards God. These people will not have a willing attitude towards God nor accept new insights from His word.
+
+On the other hand, every **_spiritual_ Christian** will with the help of the Holy Spirit have an open attitude. He will heed what it says in Romans 12:2 GNT: “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, **but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind**. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”
+
+### Wise and Willing through the Holy Spirit
+
+It is the Holy Spirit, who makes us wise and willing to serve. In this context I want to quote Acts 6:3: “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, **full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom**, whom we may appoint over this business.” (NKJV) This was the first election within the New Testament church – the election of deacons. What were the determining criteria for the election? They should have a good reputation, they should be wise and filled with the Holy Spirit. And after everything we have discussed, we understand that only such people can wholeheartedly serve.
+
+Since each of us is called to active service according to the New Testament, we should ideally be wise and filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible gives us good counsel in case we come to the conclusion that we are lacking wisdom. “If any of you lacks **wisdom**, you should **ask God**, who **gives generously** to all without finding fault, and it **will be given to you**.” (James 1:5 NIV)
+
+I have experienced again and again the truth of these words. God promises to answer our request for wisdom. The answer can take various forms: Sometimes I experienced that immediately after my prayer the solution for a certain problem suddenly popped into my head. But most of the time I had the impression that at the moment I had no new insights after praying. But when I continued my work in complete faith, at the end I was amazed at how the Lord had helped me – almost imperceptibly. God really loves to help! He wants our work, no matter what kind, to bring good results.
+
+### Those who willingly do God’s will, will be richly blessed!
+
+When I understand that God ## has my best interest in mind including for eternity, then I will gladly do His will. When someone wants to do something good for us from pure motives, as a rule, we have no objections, right? And those who have frequently experienced how God has done good for them, will gladly entrust themselves to God’s leading. That is why David could say: “I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8 NKJV)
+
+At this juncture, I would like to emphasize again that it is the Holy Spirit, who creates in us this willingness to want to follow God’s paths. And when we ask God every morning to lead us with His Spirit, then we will experience amazing things! For example, Dwight Nelson was able to have the following experience after he started to **daily** pray for the Holy Spirit:
+
+“My preaching has gained a new freedom and intensity. My leadership with my team and my people has been raised to another level. Suddenly coincidences (what one writer calls synchronicity) are multiplying – it’s as if someone is orchestrating my days and nights, my “chance” meetings and emails and conversations. It’s as if the Holy Spirit is personally directing my waking hours (even my sleeping ones). In fact, I’ve come to know Him as a very personal and truly dear Friend.“
+
+Dwight Nelson is senior pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA. (Extract from the Prayer Letter No. 143, April 22, 2018 Prayer Ministry of the General Conference)
+
+Every day offers a new chance to experience anew God’s will for my life and to be led by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:16). The willingness I had yesterday to follow Him is no guarantee that I will be obedient today too. Therefore, let us pray **daily** that we will be willing or remain willing to do His will: “**Father in heaven, please make me willing to be willing to do everything you want. Please take my thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ**.” (according to 2 Corinthians 10:5) Such a prayer is in accordance with God’s will and will therefore definitely be answered (1 John 5:14). And when we pray in this manner, we are **people after God’s own heart**. How do we know this? It’s in the Bible in Acts 13:22 NKJV: “... I have found David ..., **a man after My own heart, who will do all My will**.”
+
+Do you want to be a child, a youth, a man or a woman after God’s own heart?
+
+### Doing God’s Will brings Freedom
+
+At first, a person is inclined to believe that they aren’t free, when they should do the will of someone else (in this case God’s will). But we need to briefly think about the term freedom. There is **no absolute freedom**. However, we have the freedom to decide **for or against God**. Since God is love and freedom plays an essential role for Him, I obtain freedom and happiness when I follow Him.
+
+When I don’t decide for God, then Satan is my master. And he doesn’t allow any freedom for people; he works with force. Every addict is proof of this. And when someone wants to leave Satan’s realm, then they will experience that Satan won’t let them go just like that.
+
+In contrast, God is to be sure sad, when we leave Him, but He exercises absolutely no force on us in order to induce us to stay.
+
+When we take this all into consideration, we better understand that we can only lead a _free_ and _happy_ life near to God and it is true, when we say: Doing God’s will brings freedom!
+
+### Being Willing brings Fruit
+
+In conclusion, I would like to share two examples of how God can use us, when we place ourselves at His disposal. And it doesn’t matter if we are poor or rich, young or old, educated or uneducated.
+
+The first example is from the Bible. We can find it in John 6:5-13. A boy gave Jesus everything he had; it wasn’t much – two small fish and five small loaves of bread. Now, he had nothing left for himself. And what did Jesus do? He performed a miracle so that the hunger of all present was satisfied. Everyone – in this case 5,000 men and approximately the same number of women and children.
+
+We can see: When we place ourselves or our talents in God’s hands, He can make something much greater out of it!
+
+The boy could eat more than what he gave to Jesus. What he gave was, so to speak, the seeds. According to the law of cause and effect, **the harvest is always more than the seed**.
+
+The second example is an experience from Germany starting in 1994.
+
+A fellow believer gave 10,000 DM (former German currency) for a project, which was part of the global mission for building a church in an unentered one million area in Uzbekistan. He called me a year later and told me that the 10,000 DM, which he had donated, were the royalties from a book that he had written. And now he had just gotten a letter from the publishing house, saying that the demand for his book was so great that they were going to print a second edition. He again received a check for 10,000 DM.
+
+He further explained that it is rare that a second edition of a non-fiction book is even printed. It was clear for him: God had had a hand in this. God had given him his 10,000 DM back. At the end of our telephone conversation, the brother said: “When you need money again for mission work, let me know.” One day the time had come. I called this brother. The first thing he said was: “I just wanted to call you, but you beat me to it. Namely, I wanted to send you a check, which you may use for mission purposes.” He then went on to joyfully share that in the meantime a third edition of his book had been printed and he had just received a check from the printing house again. He could hardly believe it himself! I then told him about our mission project and explained that we would only need the money first in a few weeks. I told him that he could take his time and think about it and decide if he wanted to participate in the project. He responded: “I am sending you a check.” It arrived the next day and was for 25,000 DM! When we coincidentally met at an event a few weeks later, he let me know: “Did you know that I had already written the check for 25,000 DM before you called me?”
+
+Thus, God was able in this wonderful manner to bless this brother and the mission project! The text mentioned at the beginning in Luke 6:38 became a reality for this brother: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (NKJV)
+
+May these experiences help us to love Jesus more deeply than before and to serve Him with joy, while being filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+>  My Prayer: “Father in heaven, please forgive me for having had a partially or completely wrong perception of serving, giving and helping. Thank you so much for blessing me and others at the same time, when I serve, give and help. You ingeniously planned this! Please, give me every day the right heart’s attitude so that I can do everything you want out of love for you and full of joy. AMEN.”
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/02-gods-ingenious-way/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/02-gods-ingenious-way/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. What ingenious thoughts has God connected with serving, helping and giving? What implications does this have?`
+
+`2. Under what condition is service not a burden, but rather a joy?`
+
+`3. Why is it important to have reason/intelligence and wisdom?`
+
+`4. What attitude do we have to have in order to be after God’s own heart?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that you will be able to serve others with joy as a result of having Christ in your heart by faith.
+- [ ] that God will show you who needs your help.
+- [ ] that you will be safeguarded against pride and calculation, if you can do great things with God’s help.
+- [ ] for a willing and joyful heart and endurance for service to God and man.
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 2: God’s Ingenious Way"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/03-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god/03a-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/03-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god/03a-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,280 @@
+---
+title: "Who Is Working: God Through Me Or Me For God?"
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> It revolves around a vital question: Am I working for God with my human abilities? Or can God work through me with His divine abilities?
+
+### A Striking Biblical Example: Moses
+
+At first, Moses was an example of a person, who lived self-reliantly. However, later he became a good example of a person, who God can work through. At 40 years of age he wanted to free his people with his superior human abilities. It only had harmful consequences. Many years later God was able to do great things through him with divine results.
+
+In Acts 7:22-25 NKJV it reports that: “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds. Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. **For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand**, but they did not understand.”
+
+Moses had to flee and lived for forty years as a shepherd in Midian. Eventually, he came to the point of complete surrender. Then God gave him the insights, which are written in the book of Genesis. Only then did God instruct Moses to free the Israelites. So, Moses obediently set off for Egypt. Suddenly, he was stopped by an angel. A known sin existed – a sin of omission. (Exodus 4:24-26, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 255-256) This one sin had to be remedied first. Then the angels could protect him and **God could work with His divine abilities through him**:
+
+Moses led his people out of slavery. He performed incredible signs and miracles everywhere: in Egypt before Pharaoh, crossing the Red Sea and during the 40 years in the wilderness. God even spoke with him personally and gave him the tablets of stone with the ten commandments.
+
+He became one of the greatest leaders in the world, because God could work through him. (Recommended reading: Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 22: Moses)
+
+### Am I working for God or is He working through me?
+
+Our key text is Ephesians 2:10 NKJV:
+
+“For we are **His workmanship**, created in Christ Jesus **for good works**, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (GNT): “He has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.”
+
+This talks about **two works**!
+
+### The first work, God’s work in me
+
+The first work God does is in me. This is my new life in Christ. Jesus said: “Come to me ...” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV) and “... as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God ...” (John 1:12 NKJV)
+
+Those who have come to Jesus and accepted Him as their Lord and Redeemer receive another invitation and promise: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4 NKJV) Jesus wants to enter an abiding, intimate relationship with us. How does this happen? It is a matter of two daily steps of faith:
+
+The first step:
+
+Ephesians 5:18 says: “Be filled with the Spirit.” Or in other words: “Be continuously and repeatedly filled with the Spirit.” (Joh. Mager: Auf den Spuren des Geistes, p. 101). So, it has to do with asking for and receiving the Holy Spirit. Just as a mill wheel has to be in running water so that it stays moving, we have to remain in the river of the Holy Spirit so that God can work through us and give us life abundantly. And yet it isn’t God’s intention that we become receptacles for the Holy Spirit. No, God wants us to be a line or channel, through which He can reach other people with His love. (See Luke 11:5-13).
+
+The next step:
+
+“... that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1 NKJV)
+
+This is a life of complete surrender to Christ. The best and shortest explanation of these steps can be found in The Desire of Ages, p. 676.2. It sums it up:
+
+- a constant receiving of the Holy Spirit – and
+- a life of unreserved surrender to His service.
+
+Here is a short explanation of the meaning of the Holy Spirit: “But **till they receive the Holy Spirit**, they cannot bear this message with power. **Till they receive the Spirit, they cannot realize what God can do through them.**” (E.G. White, Adv. Review and Sabbath Herald, June 10, 1902).
+
+Another quote regarding surrender: “He who will give himself fully to God will be guided by the divine hand... As he treasures the lessons of divine wisdom, **a sacred commission will be entrusted to him** ...” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 283.3)
+
+Now we have the answer to the question of how we can have a continual, living connection with Jesus: by daily asking for and receiving the Holy Spirit, as well as the daily renewal of our surrender to Him and His service. Each morning it is our most important task to take these two spiritual steps. In this way **God’s work in me** is maintained – i.e. my new life, which I have received based on God’s grace and my faith, is kept alive.
+
+### The Second Work – God’s Work Through Me
+
+On the basis of this new life, God does another work – a work **through me**. Let’s read Ephesians 2:10 NKJV again: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” GNT: “He has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.”
+
+It says that these good works have been prepared by God beforehand. It is our job in connection with Him to perform these prepared works. So, in God’s general plan He has a partial plan for me. He has prepared certain tasks for me. By completing these tasks, we grow in faith and our practical, spiritual and mental abilities are developed. We experience joy and strength while working for God’s kingdom and at the same time we are being prepared for God’s kingdom through this service. (For more on this topic read: E.G. White, Education, p. 264)
+
+Nehemiah and the whole community experienced: “... the **joy of the Lord is your strength**.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV)
+
+Yes, through their work for God they experienced this. In only 52 days Jerusalem’s walls were rebuilt, because the people were neither intimidated nor deterred from their work by their enemies. The whole time Nehemiah led the way by faith!
+
+And that is what we should do as well. Remembering what the Lord has already done for us is very helpful, as well as Romans 8:31 NKJV: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
+
+### God plans superbly and long-term
+
+Since God knows the future and every person extremely well, He also knows how He can use us optimally – to accomplish the best for us and God’s kingdom.
+
+In John 7:37-39 NKJV we read:
+
+“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said (here it is talking about the first work – our new life), out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit ...” (This has to do with the second work – that God wants to do through us.)
+
+This Bible text means the following: If we daily quench our thirst and desire with Jesus, then we will not only have enough living water for ourselves, but rather the Lord will make this living water in us into a spring – a multiplication – so that rivers of living water can flow from us to others. This is a wonderful promise!
+
+The tasks God has entrusted us will determine to what degree we can influence our surroundings. Since no one lives for themselves, our acts don’t only affect ourselves alone, but our environment as well. And sometimes the influence of one person reaches to the end of the earth.
+
+God wants to and can do great things through us, if we cultivate an intimate relationship with Him:
+
+“To everyone who offers himself to the Lord for service, withholding nothing, is given power for the attainment of measureless results.” (E.G. White, Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 30.2).
+
+Whoever does this has the promise in John 14:12 NKJV:
+
+“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
+
+The expression “greater works” means spatial expansion here.
+
+Why will we be able to do greater works than Christ? Jesus’ explanation was: Because I go to My Father. What did He mean by that? After His ascension, He received all power in heaven and earth once again. And when Jesus lives in my heart through the Holy Spirit, then He can accomplish these “great works” through me. Let’s take another look at Nehemiah, who was a positive biblical example.
+
+### Was rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls Nehemiah’s idea?
+
+What motivated Nehemiah, who was no building expert, to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem, even though he was far away in Persia and had a great position? We read in Nehemiah 2:12 NKJV: “... what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem ...” E.G. White comments: “... while praying, the plan had been formed in his [Nehemiah’s] mind ...” (Southern Watchman, March 29, 1904)
+
+The work in Jerusalem wasn’t Nehemiah’s idea, rather he was commissioned by God. God had planned and prepared the work for him beforehand.
+
+God blessed Nehemiah greatly! In the end, his work was very successful. Nehemiah experienced what E.G. White wrote in Testimony Treasures, vol. 3, p. 341.3: “God will do the work if we will furnish Him the instruments.”
+
+### Hindrance or Promoter?
+
+Besides Nehemiah, who else played an important role in the success? E.G. White wrote: “Among the first to catch Nehemiah’s spirit of zeal and earnestness were the priests of Israel. From the position of influence which they occupied, these men could do much to hinder or advance the work. Their ready co-operation at the very outset contributed not a little to its success.” (The Southern Watchman, April 5, 1904)
+
+### An undivided Heart
+
+Nehemiah is a biblical example of a person, who cultivated an intimate relationship with God his whole life. He gave his whole life with an undivided heart to God. God is always on the watch for people like this. We read in 2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, **to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him**.” That is the prerequisite – an undivided heart – so that God’s power can work through us.
+
+Our complete surrender and our life with the Holy Spirit (DA, 676.2) makes it possible for the Lord to work powerfully through us. Not until our new life is well under way – when we have a consistent, vibrant relationship with God – will God entrust us with the work that He has prepared. Only on the foundation of the first living work, can the second work – a work from God – be built. If the new life (John 3:1-17) hasn’t begun yet or ceases to exist, then our work is done only in human strength accompanied by all the human limitations and problems.
+
+### Another Example: King Asa
+
+For the most part of his life, Asa trusted God and followed His leading, but towards the end of his life he went his own way. He showed this, for example, when he asked the Assyrian king, Ben-Hadad, for military help instead of asking God. When God sent the seer, Hanani, to tell Asa what negative consequences his foolish actions would bring, the king became so angry that he threw the seer into prison. Likewise, three years later when Asa became ill, he didn’t go to God, but rather trusted his doctors. Because Asa refused to allow God’s Spirit to guide him, God withdrew His help. If we think about it, Asa was a faithful king for 35 years and had extraordinary experiences with God and yet the last six years of his life he was a questionable follower of God. We can only pray: “Lord, help me to remain true to your ways until the end of my life!” (See: 1 Kings 15:8-24 and 2 Chronicles 14-16).
+
+The Bible says the following about Satan: “... who deceives the whole world ...” (Revelation 12:9 NKJV) The apostle Paul tells us: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV) We want to take a look at another example – this time from Adventist history – for our protection and as a warning.
+
+### What effect does it have on God’s work, when I step by step deviate from faith, nevertheless I remain in service?
+
+Maybe we can ask ourselves now: Is it even possible for someone, who works for God not to be led (anymore) by His Spirit?
+
+**Dr. John Harvey Kellogg** was a very talented doctor and a prominent personality in our church and in the U.S.A. Over the years this intelligent man ignored, for example, God’s counsel on building and running a sanatorium. God allowed the Battle Creek Sanatorium to burn to the ground and the new sanatorium, built under Kellogg’s leadership, to declare bankruptcy. Unfortunately, during the time he worked as a doctor for the church, he developed strange theological views, which he at first spread verbally. As a result, he misled many church members. After a time, Kellogg wanted to publish a book, which was rejected by our leaders, because it contained false teachings. Subsequently, Kellogg decided to print the book at his own expense. He gave our publishing house, Review and Herald, which for some time had also been printing for outsiders, an order for 5,000 copies. The publishing house agreed. God intervened directly and let the publishing house be destroyed by a horrific fire. Consequently, Kellogg sent his manuscript to an external publishing house to be printed. Only eternity will show how much damage Kellogg did to God’s work, especially among the youth, until he finally left the church of his own accord. (For more information see: Lewis R. Walton: “Omega”, Review and Herald). In this case, we don’t even need to ask if he worked for God in his own strength or if God was able to work through him.
+
+### Working for God is one thing, but God working through us is another thing
+
+In connection to this I want to share a quotation from Le Roy E. Froom: “To work for God is one thing; but to have God work through us is another. It is one thing to forsake the world and follow Christ; it is quite another to be one in whom the Holy Spirit dwells abundantly with His plenitude of power and grace. ... And God cannot do something revolutionary with men until He has first done something revolutionary for men through the incoming of the Holy Spirit.” (The Coming of the Comforter, Review and Herald 1928, p. 119)
+
+It can happen to us too – as it did to Dr. Kellogg – that we believe we should do this or that for God, without being led by God’s Spirit. We need to ask ourselves at times: Am I working with my human abilities and limitations for God, possibly even with the authority of an administrative position, or can the Lord work through me with His divine abilities and His limitless possibilities?
+
+### How God can work in the second work depends on my relationship with Him
+
+In regard to **our authors** E.G. White wrote:
+
+“A piece written in the Spirit of God angels approbate, and impress the same upon the readers. But a piece written when the writer is not living wholly for the glory of God, not wholly devoted to him, angels feel the lack in sadness. They turn away and do not impress the reader with it because God and his Spirit are not in it. The words are good but it lacks the warm influence of the Spirit of God.” (PH 016, 29.1).
+
+For the most part, what matters most in Christian literature? It should be written under the influence of the Holy Spirit and the author should live to God’s glory, namely, in complete surrender to Christ and His service. God isn’t impressed by the marvelous contents of an article. He is much more interested in the spiritual attitude of the author who wrote the text. When the author wrote under the influence of the Holy Spirit, then God can impress the reader through the same Spirit and the reader can come closer to God.
+
+It is also true for all other areas, be it the ministry, teaching, leading a mission project, church leadership, family life, training a child or something similar, that “It is not the power that emanates from men that makes the work successful, it is the power of the heavenly intelligences working with the human agent that brings the work to perfection.” (E.G. White, Christian Service, p. 260.3)
+
+God can only exercise His valuable influence through us, when we have a living relationship with God. In other words, if we aren’t living in complete surrender or are insufficiently filled with the Holy Spirit, then great blessings can be lost or damage can be caused!
+
+### Preaching God’s Word
+
+Let’s consider this correlation in connection with preaching God’s Word. When pastors are insufficiently filled with the Holy Spirit, then their sermons will never accomplish what God longs for. A quote from the Desire of Ages, p. 671.4:
+
+“**The preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence and aid of the Holy Spirit**... One might be able to present the letter of the word of God, he might be familiar with all its commands and promises; but unless the Holy Spirit sets home the truth, no souls will fall on the Rock and be broken. No amount of education, no advantages, however great, can make one a channel of light without the co-operation of the Spirit of God.”
+
+God and the angels only work with us, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and live in complete surrender to Christ. It doesn’t matter who we are or what we do, God let us know through E.G., White: “The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 330.4) And: “It is not the capabilities you now possess or ever will have that will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you.... He longs to have you expect **great things** from Him.” (Christ Object Lessons, p. 146.4) (Further recommended reading: Acts of the Apostles, p. 283-284)
+
+We will experience God’s helping strength and power all the more, the more we foster intimate fellowship with Him. “We shall not gain the victory through numbers, but through the full surrender of the soul to Jesus.” (Sons and Daughters of God, 279.2).
+
+Unfortunately, many people, once including myself, are afraid of or have reservations about completely surrendering themselves to God. They think they would become slaves. This point of view is completely false. The Bible compares a relationship with Christ with a marriage. Christ is a brilliant partner! When a person is married, they can get a divorce if they want to. We can also disconnect ourselves from Christ; we remain free people. But I think that under no circumstance do we want to do that, since a relationship with Christ is the best possible relationship. He wants to have a relationship with us, in which we are united in love and trust with Him. (For more on the topic: Abide in Jesus, chapter “Surrender to Jesus”, see www. schritte-zur-persönlichen-erweckung.info).
+
+### God’s intervention can go much further than our human possibilities
+
+God wants to do great and incredible things even today (Jeremiah 33:3). When we live so that God can work in and through us, then we will experience time and again surprising things – great and incredible things. It is like this: what God plans to do through me, will in certain areas go beyond my capabilities and abilities. And that is a good thing. It brings joy and great amazement and promotes our dependance and collaboration with God.
+
+Here are two quotes from our literature about this: “Ask for Christ’s grace and efficiency, and you will not be left to labor alone.” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 141.5).
+
+“To everyone who offers himself to the Lord for service, withholding nothing, is given power for the attainment of measureless results.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 30.2).
+
+### Consistent Prayer Connection
+
+When we live so that God works in and through us, then we need a consistent prayer connection with Him. We need to be connected to the One, who prepared the task for us. He can guide us the best through it. It is like driving with a navigation device. God has given us an enormous promise concerning connection: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV; further promises: John 7:37; John 14:12-14; John 15:7; John 15:16; Matthew 18:19; 1 John 3:22). The Lord not only promises to answer our requests, but also to show us great and mighty things. He gives us a divine answer.
+
+### Divine Counsel
+
+“Let no one overtax his God-given powers in an effort to advance the Lord’s work more rapidly. The power of man cannot hasten the work; with this must be united the power of heavenly intelligences ... Man cannot do God’s part of the work. A Paul may plant, and an Apollos water, but God gives the increase. In simplicity and meekness man is to co-operate with divine agencies, at all times doing his best, yet ever realizing that God is the great Master Workman.” (E.G. White, 7T 298.2).
+
+### What ramifications did Jesus’ life here on earth have?
+
+Philipp Brooks said: “I am definitely not mistaken when I say that all the armies that every marched, all the naval fleets that were ever built, all parliament sessions that were ever held and all kings that ever ruled, didn’t affect the lives of people on earth as much as Jesus’ lonely life did.” (Letters to Andrew, No. 2)
+
+How was the human Jesus of Nazareth able to exercise such an enormous influence? Jesus told us the reason very clearly in John 14:10 NKJV:
+
+“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.”
+
+As a human Jesus could have an enormous influence, because the Father was in Him and exercised His divine influence.
+
+Or let’s take a look at the **apostle Paul**. How was God able to do such unbelievably great mission work through him? We can find the answer in Galatians 2:19-20 NKJV: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me....” He gave up His autonomy; Christ was allowed to lead his life.
+
+This is why Paul later said the following about the tremendous work he was able to do:
+
+“I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done – by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.” (Romans 15:18-19 NIV)
+
+The key is **being-in-Christ**.
+
+### “Christ in us”
+
+E.G. White said: “A knowledge of this mystery [Christ in us] furnishes a key to every other. It opens to the soul the treasures of the universe, the possibilities of infinite development.” (E.G. White, Education, p.172.1)
+
+Jesus Christ wants to live in us. In this way, He wants to give us a fulfilled life and work through us, whether in insignificant things or great things. (For more on the subject: Abide in Jesus – chapter “Jesus abiding in you”, see www.steps-to-personal-revival.info)
+
+John Wesley realized: “God can do more with one man, who has committed [surrendered, devoted] himself 100% to God, than He can with a whole army of men, who have only committed themselves 99% to God.” (Joseph Kidder, A Guide to a Spiritual Life, Andrews University, PPP slide 14)
+
+God’s Word states clearly in Zechariah 4:6 NKJV: “What you are planning will neither succeed by the might of an army nor by human strength; rather, my Spirit will accomplish it! I, the Lord God Almighty, promise this.” (Zechariah 4:6 translated from the German Hoffnung für alle version)
+
+### God can also do great things through children and youth
+
+Mary Jones was born in 1784 in a small village in Wales. She grew up in a devout Methodist family. As a child she loved the stories in the Bible. After she learned to read, she fervently wished for her own Bible. But back then Bibles were very expensive and there weren’t many copies. On Sundays Mary was allowed to read the Bible at a rich family’s house, who lived about four kilometers away. In order to own her own Bible, she started to earn money as soon as she could by doing odd jobs. For example, one day she gathered wood and sold it, another day she babysat.
+
+It took her six years to save enough money. When she was 16 years old, she walked barefoot 42 km from Langfihangel over mountainous terrain to Bala, in order to buy a Bible from a pastor there.
+
+Pastor Thomas Charles told her that he indeed had two Bibles, but they were already promised to other people. Unfortunately, he couldn’t give her one. Mary cried bitterly! She was very distraught. Somewhat irritated, the pastor asked her why she was crying. She told him that she had been saving her money for a Bible for six years; when he heard this he relented and gave her one of the Bibles. Overjoyed, she made her way home!
+
+The pastor was so impressed by this incident that he shared his experience with Mary at the next meeting of the Religious Tract Society. “We have to find a way so that everyone in Wales can buy a reasonably priced Bible.” Thereupon his colleague Robert William said: “Why don’t we find a way for the whole world?” As a result, the first world-wide Bible society was established (British and Foreign Bible Society). Following their example, more than 140 Bible societies were founded in time.
+
+It is amazing what our heavenly Father was able to do through one simple, devout girl! So, let us consider the following words:
+
+**Never underestimate the influence of an individual, when the working of God’s Spirit is set in motion in mighty ways. God may be calling you for such a time as this.**
+
+(Advised reading: Esther 4:14-16 and also: Christian Service, chapter 26: Assurance of Success)
+
+### God Has Also Prepared A Work For Me
+
+To God’s glory and for the encouragement of the readers, I would like to share what task God gave me in 2011/2012, without my even realizing it then. He started a work, which would pervade my life more and more. On the one hand, I experience great challenges, but on the other hand, I also experience many victories and great joy. I am well aware that this work that God gave me, is His work and should remain His work. Every work of a person, who lets God use them, is only a building block in God’s great work. For this reason: “Let your light so shine that the glory will redound to God instead of to yourselves. ... Let your light so shine; be careful, minister of Christ, in what manner your light shines. If it flashes heavenward, revealing the excellence of Christ, it shines aright. If it is turned upon yourself, if you exhibit yourself, and attract the people to admire you, it would be better for you to hold your peace altogether: for your light shines in the wrong way.” (E.G. White, 4T, p. 400.1, egwwritings.org)
+
+### A Practical Example: Spreading Revival Literature
+
+Imperceptibly the Lord set in motion the work of spreading revival literature for me. The development of the brochures shows me clearly that I am not the author, rather I was permitted to be and am still a tool in God’s hand.
+
+It all began like this: Through four different impulses God encouraged me to prepare several sermons on the topic of a Spirit-filled life. After I held one of these sermons in a church, I would give all the church members a printed copy of the sermon. These copies they shared with other friends. Thus, two leading, theologically experienced brothers received my sermons in written form. One of them wrote the following to me on May 1, 2012:
+
+“Your sermons on Steps to Personal Revival are a gift from heaven – first for you and then through you for all the readers. ... Although we recently have received several practical and deeply spiritual books in our church, the topic of Steps to Personal Revival is extraordinary. In a quite compact and yet detailed manner, the way to be filled with the Holy Spirit is outlined. Whoever reads this can’t get around making a spiritual inventory and making a decision.”
+
+Both of the theologians were impressed by the contents and recommended that I print the sermons as a brochure. I thought about it and decided that the sermons would only make a small brochure, which wouldn’t be of interest to a publishing house. Hence, I did absolutely nothing about it.
+
+But God saw the whole matter differently. He had long since had a plan. And He also knew how it could be achieved.
+
+Through God’s leading I received a short time later an inquiry from the Deutsch-Schweizerischen Vereinigung (DSV – German-Swiss Conference) in Zurich. They would like to print **my sermons as a brochure**. And they were asking for my permission. The DSV promised to take care of all the details (correction, design, photos, printing quotes, etc.). I could hardly believe it! Under God’s guidance the first German edition of Steps to Personal Revival was published in October 2012. Without any plans from me.
+
+Before they started publishing, the DSV contacted the other Germanspeaking conferences and unions and the Austrian Union as well. The Baden-Württembergische Conference in Germany and the Austrian Union joined the undertaking and now 9,200 copies were needed.
+
+We went ahead with courageous faith and put in a print order for **10,000** copies. However, the printer made an unintentional mistake and printed **13,500** copies. What should we do now? We relied on the promise in Romans 8:28, where it says that all things work together for good to those who love God and accepted the surplus delivery.
+
+Amazingly, the 13,500 were soon gone and we had to keep printing more copies. Unbelievable, isn’t it? Since then there have been 8 editions
+
+74 CHAPTER 3 WHO IS WORKING? GOD THROUGH ME OR ME FOR GOD?
+
+in German of Steps to Personal Revival with a total of 45,000 copies. Many church members, whose hearts were moved by the message, helped distribute the brochures.
+
+What does it say again in Ephesians 2:10 NIV: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to **do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.**”
+
+### The Lord prepared various immense distribution possibilities!
+
+God ensured that this message was shared in various manners with as many people as possible. I have received and keep receiving invitations from churches within the country and abroad with the request to hold the seminar Steps to Personal Revival. (It consists of four hours: Sharing experiences on Friday evening, a sermon on Sabbath and two hours in the afternoon.)
+
+In the meantime, there are other brothers, who help hold these seminars. Many preachers around the world use these topics in their sermons.
+
+The following things came about because of God’s leading, without any plans on my part: video recordings, audio book recordings, e-book distribution through Amazon, as well as translation into many languages. The Lord connected me with a couple, who developed the German and English website. German: www.schritte-zur-persönlichen-erweckung.info – English: www.steps-to-personal-revival.info). The brochures can be read online, be downloaded for free or sent – namely, Steps to Personal Revival in 40 languages and the sequel Abide in Jesus in nearly 20 languages. Altogether are printed 1.3 million copies plus an unknown number online from 143 countries (as of August 2020).
+
+Many readers have shared their experiences. You can read them under “Erfahrungen” or “Testimonies” (about 160).
+
+From the more than 500 oral and written testimonies I have received, further insights have been added to the brochures. They show where Steps to Personal Revival can lead:
+
+- We recognize clearly that the Holy Spirit is the most precious gift that Jesus offers us.
+- This material opens our eyes for a correct self-assessment in relation to our spiritual status.
+- We have a better understanding of the two essential steps that lead to an attractive spiritual life and assurance of salvation.
+- When praying with promises our prayers take on a whole new quality. We pray with joy, more confidence and depth. By praying with promises many received the assurance that they had received the Holy Spirit.
+- Their great joy made them into witnesses and they shared brochures, which increased their joy even more.
+
+I can only marvel at God’s great miracles and say with joy: “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness.” (Psalm 100:1-2 NKJV) “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV)
+
+I see it like this: The Lord gave me the task of writer and coordinator. From “my” work God gave many others a second work of their own. This second work consists of intercessory prayer, translation, correction, prayer, financing, creating layouts, printing preparations, printing, establishing connections, distribution support, submitting testimonies, designing websites, etc. It is wonderful that the Lord gives a task to a group. Teamwork is more valuable than if each person would work alone. God wants to connect us with each other. I want to express deep gratitude for the wonderful contacts to sisters and brothers, which the Lord made possible. Some were only short-term, others longer-term or long-term. By and large, it is important for all those involved to know: Through God’s grace I am a co-worker in God’s greater plan. I work or rather Christ works through me to God’s glory.
+
+I have been allowed to experience God doing great and incredible things. Things, which go well beyond our possibilities. I can only praise and glorify Him and I want to continue serving Him with joy!
+
+**God wants to use everyone!** In fact, He often chooses the weakest, who have a wonderful promise: “... My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)
+
+### God often chooses the weakest
+
+Hudson Taylor, the great and famous missionary, through whom God established the China-Inland-Mission, once said when someone praised him for his great influence on the mission work:
+
+“It seems to me that God looked over the entire earth to find someone, who was weak enough to do His work. When He finally found me, He said: ‘He is weak enough – he will do.’ All of God’s giants were weak people, who did great things for God, because they believed that God was with them.”
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> My prayer: “Father in heaven, please forgive us all for where we have acted self-sufficiently. Give us a humble heart, which is devoted to you with undivided surrender. Forgive us that we often expected only modest results. Please supply us daily with your Holy Spirit! Let us recognize the tasks that you planned for us during this time. Please give us revival and reformation and use us for the great finale of the gospel. Only you are worthy of honor and glory. AMEN.”
+
+### Experiences
+
+**Praise Report from Osaka/Japan: Fast and pray for the Holy Spirit. Almost immediately ...**
+
+Sheri A.: We started church planting in the Osaka area in Japan. After one year, we still had no one attending worship or taking Bible studies. We decided to join the 100 Days of Prayer, and particularly fast and pray for the Holy Spirit during May. **Almost immediately** the Lord had us bump into a couple in a supermarket who were looking for a church, and seeking God. They immediately wanted Bible studies. Because of the epidemic, they were not working, so we had Bible studies every day, and they started attending worship services. Also, one of our neighbors started coming to church. So, we more than doubled our attendance on Sabbath, and a small church is sprouting! Praise God
+
+100 Days of Prayer 2020, Prayer Focus (Day 100) GC Ministerial Association July 4th, 2020.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/03-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god/03b-experiences.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/03-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god/03b-experiences.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+---
+title: Experiences
+---
+
+### Praise Report from Osaka/Japan
+
+**Fast and pray for the Holy Spirit. Almost immediately ...**
+
+Sheri A.: We started church planting in the Osaka area in Japan. After one year, we still had no one attending worship or taking Bible studies. We decided to join the 100 Days of Prayer, and particularly fast and pray for the Holy Spirit during May. **Almost immediately** the Lord had us bump into a couple in a supermarket who were looking for a church, and seeking God. They immediately wanted Bible studies. Because of the epidemic, they were not working, so we had Bible studies every day, and they started attending worship services. Also, one of our neighbors started coming to church. So, we more than doubled our attendance on Sabbath, and a small church is sprouting! Praise God
+
+100 Days of Prayer 2020, Prayer Focus (Day 100) GC Ministerial Association July 4th, 2020.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/03-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god/03c-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/03-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god/03c-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. What’s the difference between me working for God or God working through me?`
+
+`2. What biblical examples are there of God using a person for a great work?`
+
+`3. How was Paul able to do such incredible mission work?`
+
+`4. What promises do we have that show us that the Lord wants to do great things through us?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] to see whether you are serving in your own strength or if God is working through you with His strength.
+- [ ] for wisdom to discern the principles, which are manifested in the biblical examples of helping and serving.
+- [ ] for an intimate relationship with God so that you can really be God’s instrument.
+- [ ] that you will recognize where under God’s leadership you can support your environment and your church.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/03-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god/info.yml b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/03-who-is-working-god-through-me-or-me-for-god/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 3: Who Is Working: God Through Me Or Me For God?"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/04-valuable-years-of-training/04a-valuable-years-of-training.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/04-valuable-years-of-training/04a-valuable-years-of-training.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+---
+title: Valuable Years Of Training
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> What significance does a good approach have in leading people to Jesus Christ?
+
+First, I would like to share a few experiences that I had as a pastor in soulwinning. There were two particular reasons that motivated me to write these experiences down: 1. So that other people don’t make the same mistakes I did and 2. So that others can profit from the positive experiences.
+
+To encourage everyone, I would like to share that I – and two other brothers – were called to serve as pastors without any theological training, in other words as laymen. This happened because there was a great shortage of pastors at the time. Prior to that, I had learned a lot through 22 years of church work.
+
+A few words about my background:
+
+I come from an Adventist family. I was 17 years old when I was baptized. I was a very shy young man. Nevertheless, the church nominating committee recommended me as an assistant Sabbath school teacher. And as was common at the time, I wasn’t courageous enough to contradict them. I overcame my shyness little by little through the Sabbath school work. Over the years, I served as Sabbath school leader, youth leader, personal ministry leader and church leader. Before I became a pastor, I worked in commerce for 22 years. The knowledge I gained there, proved to be very beneficial in my pastoral work. At one point, the company I worked for gave me the opportunity to expand my English language skills in England for a year. Since I chose our Adventist school, Newbold College, I was also able to take some Bible subjects. However, at that time I had no idea that I would soon become a pastor.
+
+My dear wife was a great support during my ministry. Her father had been a pastor and teacher. She already knew a lot of things from home; but not only that, she had also been of practical assistance in her home and local church. Then, God gave me further help in the form of a good friend and my brother-in-law – both of them were also pastors. Yes, I can say that God called me to a completely new task, but He had ensured that I was prepared in manifold ways and that I had the necessary support.
+
+### What is important in soul-winning?
+
+I became a pastor when I was 38 years old. Some of my extensive efforts to win people for Christ, initially brought only weak results. These failures caused me to critically scrutinize my approach. And with God’s help I gradually realized what I needed to do differently. As I put this new knowledge into practice, the results were very positive.
+
+The following is what I learned:
+
+As a rule, it is good to follow the following sequence:
+
+- Introducing Jesus and helping people accept Him.
+- Holding a discipleship course to initiate or deepen a relationship with Christ, to help their understanding of forgiveness of guilt and how to live a life in the power of the Holy Spirit.
+- After this, the fundamental truths of the Bible can be covered.
+- When a person is taught in this manner, then we are helping them make a decision for baptism and the church.
+
+How far you can accompany an individual on this path, always depends on how open they are to the influence of the Holy Spirit.
+
+How far Jesus’ coworkers can accompany dear people on this path, will always be very variable.
+
+### My first momentous experience
+
+When I began my pastoral work in 1968, the world-wide campaign TheBible-Speaks was started. Those participating went from door to door taking a religious opinion survey. After the survey, people were offered a free Bible. Anyone interested was immediately presented with a Bible. But the stipulation was that the Bible wasn’t theirs to keep until they had completed the 24 Bible lessons. They were then given the first two lessons and these lessons would be picked up in a week or two – as desired – to be corrected and the next two lessons would then be left with them.
+
+Fortunately, the church, which I was responsible for at the time, heartily joined in the project. Every Sabbath afternoon we went out with about 24 people in groups of two throughout the winter of 1968/69. After a few months, we had 700 people, who were studying these lessons. This mission activity was intended as preparation for a large evangelistic effort. The evangelistic series was held by the General Conference evangelist, Andrew C. Fearing, starting in April 1969. A certain brother, Reinhard Rupp, an evangelist from the Southern German Union, took over the continuation of the lecture series. He was followed by various other speakers, who held lectures every Friday, Saturday and Sunday; altogether there were approximately 100 lectures. By the grace of God, within two years 32 evangelistic attendees, who had found out about the series by various means, were baptized. I used the ten Bible study guides from Fordyce W. Detamore to help lead people to make a decision. (Today, I would recommended: Mark Finley, Persuasion – How to help people decide for Jesus.)
+
+Unfortunately, there was only one woman from the baptismal candidates, who was from our 700 participants in the campaign The-BibleSpeaks. We asked ourselves what the reason could be for this “poor” result. After some time, we came to realize the following: We had predominantly done “postal work” and not made enough effort to seek personal contact. Furthermore, we were convicted that the Bible study guides dealt much too quickly with the doctrines – before the person had been led to Jesus. And not until later did I realize that our lack of the Holy Spirit also contributed towards our “sparse” results. We had made at least 10,000 house calls as part of The-Bible-Speaks campaign and despite our major efforts, we were then only able to bring **1 person** from our **700 contacts** to baptism.
+
+I went into great detail in this experience, only because I want to spare other people a similar experience. And it is significantly easier to learn from other people’s experiences than to make them yourself.
+
+### My second momentous experience
+
+My next major campaign took place in 1971/72 in a different church. Again, we went from door to door and introduced ourselves to people with an opinion survey. But this time right after the survey, we asked **the well tried and tested question from the German booklet Seize Life** (Ergreife das Leben): “**Assuming that you would die today, would you have assurance of eternal life with Jesus Christ?**”
+
+As a rule, this led to us immediately reading the booklet together with them. The contents are a short summary of the plan of salvation in four steps and closes with a prayer of surrender. Some of the people were so touched that they gave us the addresses of their family members and asked us to visit them and to go through the booklet with them as well.
+
+After we had gone over the booklet with the interested people, then we studied with them the five lessons published by the youth department of the General Conference on how to lead young people to Jesus. Only after that did we use The-Bible-Speaks series.
+
+In total, we had 150 participants in The-Bible-Speaks course.
+
+Next, we started a big evangelistic series of more than 52 evenings with the speaker Evangelist Kurt Hasel. At the end of the series 13 people were baptized; of these, **seven people** were from our **150 contacts**. The result of this second big campaign was many times better than the first one, where we had had one person baptized from the 700 participants.
+
+### My third momentous experience
+
+The next great experience I had was in two churches in a large city in 1973/74. After I had held six evangelistic lectures together with the physician Dr. Waldemar Maretz in order to find interested people, we then invited them to a Bible study group. Seven guests and several church members attended. Together, we studied nine brochures from a discipleship series. It was a Bible-based and educationally well-prepared series on discipleship, which also included an introduction to personal evangelism. In this series there were two lessons on Living with the Holy Spirit. This series had been created to help deal with the three following fundamental problems:
+
+- Many Christians don’t have any certainty about their personal relationship with Christ.
+- They are leading a life characterized by defeats and disappointments.
+- They don’t know how to share their faith in an effective manner. <sup>2</sup>
+
+After this comparatively short discipleship series, we invited the seven guests to a long-running evangelistic series of more than 52 evenings. At the end 13 people were baptized, **five** of which were from our **seven contacts**.
+
+This was the best outcome that God ever gave me in this kind of work. Let’s compare again:
+
+- 1 person from 700 contacts
+- 7 people from 150 contacts
+- 5 people from 7 contacts
+
+As we can see, a well-thought-out strategy plays a decisive role in being able to win people for Jesus. Remember: Whoever buttons the first button wrong on a jacket, will never get it together right. In the end, he will have to unbutton everything and start over.
+
+Whoever doesn’t have a correct “start” in teaching about faith, usually cannot expect good results. And the next steps also have to be well-planned so that we don’t turn off on a “byway”. These “byways” may even be interesting, but they don’t lead to the real goal – leading people to Jesus.
+
+After this third experience, which was so positive, I always began by studying the discipleship series with new, interested individuals. Prior to this, or at another suitable time, I would go through the booklet Seize Life with them. (The booklet is chapter 7 in this book.) Only afterwards did I go through the standard Bible study series.
+
+I learned that people, who first make a decision for Jesus, are motivated more and usually have more strength to accept and implement the teachings of the Bible.
+
+### A special experience with youth from the church
+
+In 1978 I invited the youth committee from a church in Saarland to study the discipleship series. At first the youth were quite skeptical. But this changed rapidly as they became happy and confident followers of Jesus through this study. When we wanted to convince the church to hold a seminar on these topics, the youth gave beautiful testimonies. The Lord also used this discipleship series to lead people to a joyful practice of faith.
+
+While working in Saarland, I made a note of how many people prayed a prayer of surrender after going through the booklet Seize Life. There were 62 people and 30 of them were baptized. I want to praise and thank our Lord for this!
+
+### My experiences in Bad Aibling with the discipleship series and Bible studies
+
+Starting in 1984 I was in charge of the retirement home in Bad Aibling (Germany). Between 1985 and 1994 we held a Better Living seminar every spring and fall. Sometimes we gave the seminar a different name, however the contents were the same. Each time it was a series of 11-12 evenings. By the help of God, we were able to win people for Christ at almost every seminar. Some guests and some employees from the retirement home even attended the seminar two or three times.
+
+Each evening, the seminar had the following structure:
+
+First, a **30-minute** talk was held on **health or family** or something like _**Christians in occupational life**_.
+
+The **main part** of the evening was spent addressing **questions about discipleship** (series of nine booklets). We added other topics, such as The Importance of the Local Church in our Life of Faith and The Allure of Superstition. After that we would have standard Bible studies with those interested.
+
+Starting in 1984 we offered a variety of vocational training at our retirement home: office management, housekeeping, chef, geriatric nurse assistant (1 year) and geriatric nursing (3 years with classes at a specialized vocational school).
+
+In addition, we had five young men doing alternative service (in lieu of military service).
+
+When hiring young people, we would ask them if they would also be interested in Bible classes and health classes besides their vocational training. We would ask them to understand that we wanted to reserve the few apprenticeship positions for young people that were interested in the whole offer. We emphasized that they should only choose us if they were interested in the complete offer. Attending vocational classes, Bible classes and health classes would be mandatory for the duration of training.
+
+(Today, I would add ethic classes as well; using the book of Salomon’s Proverbs. This book contains biblical ethics for our private lives and our occupational lives. It not only points out correct conduct, but also the character prerequisites for it, which have to do with the fear of God.)
+
+We told the young people that it was completely up to them what they did with their new knowledge about faith and health. Almost all the applicants decided they wanted to come. God marvelously provided us with a highly qualified Adventist lady, who held Bible classes and health classes and also took over most of the Bible seminars. She had pastoral training as well as a license for teaching housekeeping at a women’s technical college.
+
+We were delighted that at least one person was baptized each year. There were two years, in which we had seven baptisms each – many of them young employees. This was a good method to share our faith with young people. Thus, as an institution we were able to help fulfill Christ’s great commission. So, it was the right method and successful because we led people to Jesus first.
+
+### Formation of a Support Group for Global Mission
+
+In 1994 the church in Bad Aibling established a support group for global mission as an independent department of the church. (The report in German about the 25-Year-Anniversary is at www.missionsbrief.de: 25 Jahrfeier). In 1990 the General Conference passed a plan for global mission. They promoted the idea of adopting an unentered one-million-region with the goal of starting the first church there. We volunteered as the church Bad Aibling. We were asked to get in touch with the conference in TashkentUzbekistan. We ended up taking over the unentered “one-million-region” Navoiy in Uzbekistan. Due to God’s blessing, we were able to establish a church there with almost 200 members. In addition, a church center was built.
+
+Unexpected mission work evolved from these humble beginnings under God’s leadership and by His grace. We learned a lot while working together with our administration and supporting missions. The Lord blesses collaboration. The following took place:
+
+Starting in 1994 **churches being established by pioneers** (full-time lay-missionaries). A **laymen-mission-school** was started for training pioneers in Navoiy-Uzbekistan. In only four years 42 lay-missionaries were trained; 41 of them began working as full-time lay-missionaries. Through their efforts **10 unentered “one-million-regions” in Uzbekistan were reached**. In each of these areas churches or groups were established. Due to their activities, **more than 500 people were baptized**. After these wonderful experiences our support group in Bad Aibling started to foster two projects in Turkmenistan starting in 2001/2002. Then in 2006 three projects in India were added. Ellen White said the following about personal and foreign mission work:
+
+“Our church members should feel a **deep interest** in **home and foreign missions**. Great blessings will come to them as they make selfsacrificing efforts to plant the standard of truth in new territory. **The money invested in this work will bring rich returns**.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 49.3)
+
+“The home missionary work will be farther advanced in every way when a more liberal, self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit is manifested for the prosperity of foreign missions; **for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off**.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 27.5)
+
+We experienced the truth of these quotes! The “reflex influence” for us was:
+Starting in 1999 churches were established in Germany by pastors, church members and pioneers. The churches, which participated in the foreign mission work in Uzbekistan for approximately 8 – 10 years (starting in 1995), planted daughter churches only during this time:
+
+- The church in Bad Aibling – in Feldkirchen Westerham
+- The church in Lindau – in Wangen, in Lindenberg and together with this church again in Isny
+- The church in Überlingen – in Pfullendorf and in Markdorf
+
+The churches that took part in the foreign mission work, had been founded themselves approximately 100 years ago. It was only when they experienced the “reflex influence”, which came from their foreign mission work, did they progress in their “home mission work”. Further important tasks followed:
+
+Starting in 1994 a **mission-magazine Missionsbrief was published**. Its purpose is to inform and motivate in the areas of church planting, home and foreign mission work, revival and spiritual life. (Circulation: 13,000 copies for churches in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.)
+
+In 2003 the mission school in Navoiy-Uzbekistan was closed by the government’s command. On the basis of the outstanding results of the school – in four years 41 pioneers/lay-missionaries went into fulltime mission work – we contacted Outpost Centers International in the USA and made a proposal to establish an institution that would help to buildup lay-missionary-schools worldwide – with the emphasis on health evangelism. After our consultation, a prayer chain with 150 people was formed and they were asked to pray until we had clarity in this situation – if God wanted us to have such an institution. After a short time, it was completely clear that our great God wanted such an institution. This led to the formation of **L.I.G.H.T. Lay Institute for Global Health Training** based in Wildwood, USA.
+
+Purpose: services/consultation/aid in the worldwide erection of small health evangelism schools (training lasting 6-12 months) and holding one-month long health-evangelism courses. **Today, LIGHT is active in more than 100 countries**. About **5,000-6,000 people** have taken the 6-12-month health training at **mission schools** affiliated with LIGHT and more than **24,000** people have taken the four-week intensive course (As of the end of 2019).
+
+Since 2012 **promotion of revival literature** with the outstanding 40-Days concept from Dennis Smith. This is the best spiritual-evangelistic concept that I have ever seen. We arranged for the translation and distribution of the 40-Days books vol. 1-5 from Dennis Smith, as well as Steps to Personal Revival, Abide in Jesus and Spirit-filled Coworkers of Jesus from Helmut Haubeil. In addition, the following websites have been set up: www.schritte-zur-persönlichen-erweckung.info and www.steps-to-personal-revival.info in collaboration with the Advedia ministry. Therefore, it is now a supporting group for Revival and Global Mission.
+
+Starting in 2014 **setup of the website** www.gotterfahren.info, so that searching people can find a fulfilled life in a personal relationship with God. This website is run in collaboration with the Hope-BibleInstitutes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. These institutes look after the searching people that contact them. This website was created in collaboration with Ilja Bondar from Advedia. The website is visited 3,000 to 5,000 times a month.
+
+By God’s grace, I have now managed the support group for 25 years. I can only repeatedly thank and praise our wonderful God for His leading and the many experiences, which we have been privileged to have. In addition, I can only thank our loving Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, that He gave me a fulfilled life both in my professional life and in retirement. With overflowing joy, I have been able to be part of God’s work of worldwide revival in the last days of the world’s history!
+
+“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NIV)
+
+Let us serve our wonderful Lord with Jesus Christ in our hearts and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. We want to testify of Christ in our words and deeds – to honor God, for the salvation and blessing of our fellowmen and for our own growth as followers of Jesus, for our own joy and fulfillment.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer of Thanks: “Father in heaven, I want to praise and thank you for your wonderful guidance. Thank you that our local church trusted You and was willing to risk a step in global mission. I want to thank You for all the praying people, givers and helpers. Thank You for all those involved – the pioneers, churches, administrative offices and supporting ministries. You led us so that we could help in the salvation of people. Please continue to be with us and our mission work! Thank You that we were able to experience the “reflex influence”! We now ask You for a worldwide revival and reformation! Yes, we want the final great proclamation of the gospel to take place now, so that Jesus can come again soon! Father, praise and glory be Yours forever and ever! AMEN.”
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>2</sup> Author Dr. William Bright – The fundamental problems were identified with the use of comprehensive opinion surveys.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/04-valuable-years-of-training/04b-experiences.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/04-valuable-years-of-training/04b-experiences.md
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index 0000000000..bf240f85f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/04-valuable-years-of-training/04b-experiences.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: Experiences
+---
+
+### President from a closed country in Asia
+
+“I pray that this book will change our whole mission work. I am the president of a Missionfield. I just finished my first reading of the book Steps to Personal Revivial. I am sorry that I did not know about this book before, but I am thankful that God showed me the book now.
+
+Actually, I received this book as a gift from a friend. I didn’t expect much, but as soon as I opened this book, it started to impact my spiritual life. So last night I sent pdf files of this book to all our workers, and asked them to read it with their family members. Starting today, I will read it again with my wife, and I will also send this book to my children and daughter-in-law. While I was sharing this book with our workers, I realized that the translation in our two main languages is on the way. I pray that this book will change our whole mission work. We will publish it in our languages, so that our members will be blessed with presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The reason I am writing this email is to ask you a favor, if you could come and speak at our workers’ family retreat. If you can come and lead our workers, it would be really wonderful.
+
+I pray that our Lord continues to use you and your book to bring revival to His church.” (H.J. EE090220 #148)
+
+### Over a thousand participants in internet prayer hour with “Abide in Jesus”.
+
+I live in Curitiba-Paraná, Brazil. Last year our church distributed the book, Steps to Personal Revival. It's a wonderful book. I've read it three times already. I have already prepared three sermons on this message. I was very happy that a friend invited me to a prayer hour: every morning at 5 a.m. The prayer group studies the second book, “Abiding in Jesus”. Through these two books, more than a thousand brothers are now group members in one hour of prayer every day. Miracles and testimonies happen between us. When I entered this class a month ago we were 200 students. Every day God is bringing more brothers into the group who are looking for the Holy Spirit and preparing for Christ's return. Many people switch to from other countries through ZOOM. Now, after a month, we are already more than 1000 participants and the group is getting bigger and bigger. Thank God. Five ministers lead this class, which is dedicated to the search for the Holy Spirit. The class builds us up a lot. I thank you with all my heart for the books on the Holy Spirit. You have given me a new perspective on God and the Holy Spirit. Thank you very much for everything. (L.T.G. EE11112020 from Brazil 170)
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. What steps are helpful in winning souls? Above all else, what should a person learn to know and love?`
+
+`2. What is particularly important when sharing the gospel and what should be avoided?`
+
+`3. Why is the topic discipleship so important and vital?`
+
+`4. What can you learn from the experiences cited here?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] to gain ever better knowledge of God’s character through Jesus Christ and to be transformed into His image.
+- [ ] to discern the right way that you can reach people with the gospel.
+- [ ] to become and remain true disciples of Jesus.
+- [ ] for experiences in your work with God that will strengthen your faith.
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+title: "Chapter 4: Valuable Years Of Training"
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+---
+title: “I Will Make You Fishers Of Men”
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> What makes Jesus attractive to everyone in a unique way? Why does He want us to lead other people to Him? Why and how does Jesus make us into fishers of men? How can I be an effective witness for Jesus?
+
+### In what way is Jesus of unique importance to everyone? What does Jesus do for me, which no one else can?
+
+Jesus suffered for me, died for me and rose again. He was innocent and yet died for the entire guilt of my life. This is the greatest token of love there is. And although He rules the whole world, He lives for me. I want to thank Him for His inconceivable love for me. As my Redeemer and High Priest, He advocates His unique treasure of grace for me. He makes the greatest exchange with me: He assumes the entire guilt of my life. He paid the price for it on the cross. He gives me His righteousness. Thus, I can live without the burden of guilt.
+
+He breaks the power of sin in my life so that I don’t have to sin. He safeguards me from sin and the fallen angels. He gives us an abundant life and changes my character for the better step by step; He gives me talents, which enable me to serve Him. He frees me from injuries and bondage. He leads me in my life and gives me strength to trust God’s love and to follow His laws. He wrote me a love letter through His word, which gives me a firm foundation for my life and good advice for time and eternity. Normally, I would be condemned as a result of my guilt by God’s judgment. Since Jesus is my intercessor and advocates His righteousness for me, I am pardoned from all my guilt. Without Him I would have to stand before conviction and enforcement of the sentence. Even now He gives me a fulfilled life. And at the resurrection or at my transformation, this life will continue in an eternal life of glory. Jesus is unique. No one can take His place.
+
+### Fellowship with Jesus is the most valuable relationship there is
+
+When we reflect for a while, it will become clear that our trusting surrender to Jesus led to an intimate and incomparable friendship with Him. Do you have a friend more faithful than Jesus? Could someone replace this close relationship? Has the close love relationship with Christ become the foundation of a fulfilled life for you? I thank Jesus daily that He trusts me and loves me – that I am even in the middle of His love. I ask Him: Let our friendship always grow stronger and keep me in this love.
+
+When your personal relationship with Christ is the most precious thing in your life, then what is the best thing you could do for another person?
+
+### What is the most invaluable help I can give someone? What is the greatest advantage that I can draw their attention to?
+
+Is there anything more valuable for your loved ones, relatives, friends and acquaintances? Do you want to help them find the same important and superb friendship? It is the best thing you can do for another person. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV) and “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 NKJV) By God’s grace, we may point others the way to a new and eternal life. This is a joy like no other! Hardly any other spiritual experience is so thrilling and rewarding as the “adventure of witnessing about Jesus” – who Christ is and what He means to me.
+
+As a young business man, I learned from literature on success that: “Every person gladly lets themselves be influenced to their own advantage.” Once I adjusted to this in the sales of transportation services, I had notable success.
+
+In the life of faith, it is important that our fellow men can see the good results of our relationship with Jesus in our life. Think of the healed demoniac. Jesus said to him: “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” (Mark 5:19 NKJV)
+
+### What is the most important prerequisite?
+
+If I want to show other people the way to Jesus, then I have to have found Jesus myself first and be closely connected with Him. The Bible calls this “being in Christ”. This is mentioned 170 times in different forms in the New Testament. The Lord wants us to have clarity about our relationship with Him. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life ...” (1 John 5:13 NKJV) Do I have assurance of salvation today? Am I sure that I am saved – not at the end of my life, but now? Robert Folkenberg said: No assurance, no mission. We can only witness credibly about our salvation through Christ, when we know that we are saved.
+
+### Jesus’ Wish
+
+Jesus wants to reach other people with His love – namely through Christians, who are filled with the Holy Spirit. He wants to draw men, women and children to Himself through us. He wants to make you and me into a channel of His love. He wants to make people candidates for the Kingdom of God through you and me.
+
+### What do you think about Jesus’ wish?
+
+Maybe you have never led someone to Jesus. But I am sure that you would like to. Where might the problem lay? There can be two reasons.
+
+1. Do you know how to lead a purified, victorious and Spirit-led life?
+
+2. Do you know how to share your faith about Jesus in an effective manner?
+
+I didn’t know for a long time ...
+
+Our situation is similar to Peter’s. “‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.” (Luke 5:4-6 NKJV) Many can verify: We have caught nothing. But with Christ in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, we can cast out our nets again.
+
+### How can we become fishers of men?
+
+Jesus said to Peter and Andrew – and it applies to us as well: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 NKJV) According to another translation: “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” (GNT) We are called to follow Jesus in the power and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And He is responsible for making “fishers of men” out of you and me. He said: I will make you fishers of men. He does it, not you and me. He is the master and I am the apprentice.
+
+### How did Jesus make His apprentices into fishers of men?
+
+I will now share portions of testimonies I received from people after they had started to daily surrender themselves to Jesus and to pray for the Holy Spirit. Please pay close attention to how Jesus was able to make them fishers of men.
+
+- After 40-Days of prayer a pastor wrote: “Church members, who had been afraid to talk to strangers, suddenly spoke to people spontaneously.” What was the turning point? A life in the Holy Spirit. (#532, 1)
+- During the course of the day, God’s Spirit testifies over and over again to my spirit that I am a child of God and I have the assurance of His guidance. The joy I have from this new Christian experience bubbles out of me and has motivated some church members to also read the booklet. (#532,37)
+- The effects are overwhelming, because the new motivation and inner joy don’t go unnoticed. During this time, I have had a lot of experiences. I also looked for opportunities to pass on what pervaded me. (#532,38)
+- When I can tell about Jesus Christ, then I am filled with great joy. (#532, 46)
+- I used to consider mission work an obligation. Now, it has become my desire to speak with people about Jesus. Jesus has not only aroused this need in me, but has also given me many opportunities. I want to praise and thank God for this. (#532,48)
+- It is wonderful to experience how the Holy Spirit shows me and teaches me how Jesus loves and how concerned He is about the lost. I can speak freely about Jesus now, completely naturally so that almost everyone listens. The Holy Spirit arranges encounters and conversations often in minute detail, so that I can only marvel. Now, I wish that everyone around me could experience what I am. (#532, 54)
+- Previously, the Holy Spirit only led me sporadically to witness. Now, it happens daily. I don’t have to “prepare a speech”, because God gives me the right words since only He knows the heart of the other person. (#532,57)
+
+All of these experiences came about after these people started to daily ask by faith for the Holy Spirit and received Him. In addition, they surrendered their lives to Jesus daily and were ready to serve. I think that we can see in these testimonies how Jesus can start to make fishers of men out of us. He does it by living in us through the Holy Spirit. (See the booklet: Abide in Jesus, chapter: Jesus abiding in you.) A life with the Holy Spirit changes our attitude towards mission and gives us the basic abilities and joy for it.
+
+### Personal Efforts
+
+Ellen White wrote: “Personal, individual effort and interest for your friends and neighbors, will accomplish much more than can be estimated. ... Go to your neighbors [friends, acquaintances] one by one, and come close to them till their hearts are warmed by your unselfish interest and love. Sympathize with them, pray for them, watch for opportunities to do them good.” (E.G. White, Review and Herald, March 13, 1888) There is hardly any other spiritual experience that makes us so happy and fulfilled as the experience of telling others about Christ and leading them to Him. (More about this later.)
+
+### Under What Conditions Can I Lead People To Jesus?
+
+Now, we want to learn about the conditions that make our life and our testimony for Jesus fruitful. We want to keep this overview as simple as possible. When we follow this, then our life will be richer and we will bring fruit for God in new ways.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: Let’s pray daily: “Lord, make me willing to be ready for everything that You want. Please, arouse in me the desire to win lost people for You. AMEN.”
+
+### My Relationship with Christ
+
+When we are “in Christ”, then the most important condition is already in place. It is crucial that we consecrate ourselves to Jesus every morning – with everything we have and are. Furthermore, we should daily pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit; we should pray with confidence and best using a promise. In this way, Jesus Christ lives in us, who said: “Abide in Me, and I in you ... He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 NKJV) God’s word invites us to self-examination: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV) God wants us to know our spiritual condition. When are we disqualified or incompetent? Our competence is supplied by Christ in us, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Accordingly, incompetence shows that we don’t have Christ in our “hearts” and we aren’t filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls this being carnal (living through normal human strength without the Holy Spirit, or without being filled enough with the Holy Spirit). (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Romans 8:1-17) A car can’t function without fuel and Christians can’t function without the Holy Spirit. “But you shall receive power [competence, provision] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me ...” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
+
+Now, we want to take a brief, yet careful, look at further points. I want to repeat: when you follow this, you will have a fulfilled life and you will bring fruit for God in new ways. Maybe you will leave the “nets” of your current career and win people for Jesus through Jesus.
+
+### 1. Surrender To Christ
+
+Have I completely committed my life to Jesus Christ? Do I surrender myself to Him daily with everything I am and have? What significance does my surrender have?
+
+(For more details see Abide in Jesus, chapter 2 Surrender to Jesus and chapter 3 Jesus abiding in you.)
+
+**Our complete surrender to Jesus Christ is the key** to salvation, to a new life (John 3:1-21), to victory over sin (Romans 8:1-4), to being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16-17) and to assurance of salvation.
+
+The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ crowning gift for His disciples. The Holy Spirit is the gift, which brings in its train all the other gifts. “But like every other promise, it is given on conditions. ... They talk about Christ and about the Holy Spirit, yet receive no benefit. **They do not surrender the soul** to be guided and controlled by the divine agencies.” (E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 672.1) Many have not surrendered themselves to God – often out of ignorance – and determine their lives themselves. This can be the cause for a lack of the Holy Spirit. That’s why this portion is entitled: Commitment to Jesus Christ.
+
+“Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest.” (E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 331.2)
+
+#### Why surrender?
+
+Surrender is clearly explained in the book Steps to Christ: “**God desires to heal us, to set us free**. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him ... **He [God] sets before us the height of blessing to which He desires to bring us through His grace**. He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” (E.G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 43.2-43.4)
+
+Our surrender to God results in immeasurable blessing. God calls us to surrender, because He wants to heal us and set us free. From what? When Jesus is allowed to lead our lives, then He can free us from the tyranny of our ego, for example, jealousy, anger, bossiness, greed, addiction, rage, pride, conceit, discouragement, inferiority complexes, etc. Remember: Every person is their own biggest problem. You are your biggest problem. Only God can lead us to true freedom. But a potter can only form the clay that he has in his hands. That is why God needs our surrender.
+
+#### Deliverance and Relief through Surrender
+
+In this way, God also wants to free us from the power of sin (Romans 8:1-4) and give us divine guidance and protection (1 John 5:18). In addition, surrender makes our lives much simpler. E.G. White said: “The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart.” (My Life Today, p. 6.6, egwwritings.org)
+
+#### Vital: Being filled with the Holy Spirit
+
+Jesus gives us important instructions so that we can be His witnesses: “But you shall receive power [competence, provision] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me... to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV) Jesus commanded His disciples to wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit, before they started active work for Him (Acts 1:4). This shows that the Holy Spirit is an essential prerequisite for our witness. Jesus is in us through the Holy Spirit. He enables us to witness. “For without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV) Jesus said: “And they overcame him [the dragon] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11 NKJV) We will be overcomers: by the blood of the Lamb – His sacrifice for us becomes effective through our trusting surrender to Jesus – and by the word of their testimony – by telling others what Jesus has done for us. They did not love their lives to the death, shows us that a life of surrender to Christ was maintained till the end of their lives. Surrender means: living for Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:15).
+
+#### Surrender – explained in detail
+
+The main objective of ‘Surrender to Jesus’ is dealt with in detail in book two of the series Steps to Personal Revival. The book is entitled Abide in Jesus. Chapter two: “Surrender to Jesus”. It is highly recommended to re-read this chapter.
+
+### 2. Spirit-Filled
+
+Jesus said in John 15:4 NIV: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” Whether Jesus remains in me, depends on me. He shows us very clearly what the effects of abiding in Christ are: “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:5-8 NKJV)
+
+#### How do I abide in Jesus Christ?
+
+We have a wonderful explanation of Jesus’ words “abide in me” in The Desire of Ages. It means:
+
+- a constant receiving of His Spirit (Hence, daily asking for the Holy Spirit and receiving Him.)
+- a life of unreserved surrender to His service (For this reason, we renew our surrender every morning.) (E.G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 676.2 egwwritings.org)
+
+#### The Way to True Happiness
+
+This two-part divine solution is the way to a happy life. Why? Jesus explained: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11 NKJV)
+
+Christ lives in us through these two steps (constant receiving of His Spirit and a life of unreserved surrender to His service) and it is the way to perfect joy. It is the way to true happiness.
+
+#### “Daily” is the secret
+
+Jesus said in Luke 9:23 that our discipleship is a daily matter. And 2 Corinthians 4:16 mentions that the inward man is renewed day by day. We should ask daily to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13 and Ephesians 5:18 in Greek: keep asking) and we should daily renew our surrender to Jesus Christ. I think this is the main objective of our morning worship for each of us. Jesus wants to accompany us throughout the day (see Matthew 6:33). Do you pray using promises, so that you have the assurance of receiving the Holy Spirit? (1 John 5:14-15; Mark 11:24; 2 Peter 1:3-4)
+
+#### A Spirit-Filled Life in Detail
+
+I would like to refer anyone, who would like to read in depth on this subject, to the book Steps to Personal Revival, especially the chapter “Are our Problems Solvable?”. It shows why a daily surrender to Jesus and daily asking for the Holy Spirit is important and necessary. You can also read the chapter “The Key to Practical Experience” in the same book, which shows how to pray using promises in order to have the assurance that our prayer for the Holy Spirit has been answered.
+
+### 3. INTERCESSORY PRAYER
+
+#### How Can I Practice Spirit-filled Intercessory Prayer?
+
+**Why should we pray for other people?**
+
+E.G. White says:
+
+“Through much prayer you must labor for souls, for this is the only method by which you can reach hearts.” (Evangelism, p. 341.3) Thus, Spirit-filled intercessory prayer is the only way to people’s hearts.
+
+- A pastor wrote: Another experience pertains to a German-Russian sister. She took part in the 40-Days devotional time and started to pray for her Russian speaking neighbors. When she told one of her neighbors that she was praying for her, the lady was very surprised and said that she was looking for a church that kept the Sabbath according to the Bible. This lady and several other neighbors came to the evangelistic meetings. Two of them were baptized. (#532,19)
+- My prayer partner made great advances in her faith! Intensive prayer becomes a habit with the 40-Days repetition. Tomorrow, at least three of the five people we have been praying for, will come to the visitor’s Sabbath. (#532, 30)
+- ... We discussed what we had read and then prayed for five special people. We had extraordinary experiences. A young person, who we had been praying for, began to take an interest in faith and started to ask questions about God. A relative of my prayer partner experienced God’s blessing when a problem was suddenly solved. I was able to talk about faith with a work colleague, even though I had thought it was completely impossible. God richly blessed us. (#532,53)
+- A sister said after the 40-Days of prayer: “After intensive prayer, the Holy Spirit worked especially on my husband and led him back to the church after many months of absence. God can do great things!” (#532, 4 D)
+
+These experiences show us that Spirit-filled prayer gives us many more answered intercessory prayers.
+
+#### Jesus taught Intercessory Prayer
+
+Jesus told the parable about a friend who comes at midnight on the topic of intercessory prayer (Luke 11:5-8). The friend receives an unexpected visitor late in the evening. He doesn’t have anything to serve his guest. So, he hurries over to his neighbor and asks for some bread. He is fully confident that his friend will help him. And indeed, he does get bread. Jesus made it clear that we don’t have anything ourselves. We have to turn to our divine friend, so that we can receive the bread of life for other dear people. Then Jesus said: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you ...” (Luke 11:9 NKJV) With this sentence He leads up to His great, loving and urgent call – that we should at all costs ask for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also very important for our intercessory prayer.
+
+#### Pray in the Holy Spirit / Pray in the Name of Jesus
+
+God’s word invites us to “pray in the Holy Spirit”. (Jude 20 NKJV) We should therefore pray imbued with the Holy Spirit. That is the same as praying in the name of Jesus. We pray in the name of Jesus, when we live in complete surrender to Him and are willing to follow our Lord in everything. There are great promises for this kind of prayer:
+
+- “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (John 14:12 NKJV)
+- “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14 NKJV)
+- “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7 NKJV)
+When we pray with a prayer partner, then we have an additional promise from Jesus in Matthew 18:19 (NKJV): “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
+- “The Lord is not ... willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV)
+- “If anyone sees his brother (or sister) sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.” (1 John 5:16 NKJV)
+
+Additional promises for our children and relatives:
+
+- “But thus says the Lord: ‘Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.’” (Isaiah 49:25 NKJV)
+- “So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” (Acts 16:31 NKJV)
+
+We can find in the 40-Days books vol. 1, 2 and 3 by Dennis Smith in the ‘introduction and overview’ further promises for intercessory prayer: See Appendix A: Promises for Intercessory Prayer
+
+#### God’s word stands firmer than the mountains
+
+When Christ is in us and we pray using promises, then we can be certain that the Lord answers our prayers. Then this applies to our prayers too:
+
+“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV)
+
+“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Jesus in Matthew 24:35 NKJV)
+
+#### Prayer List
+
+Do you want your relatives, friends and neighbors to find Christ? Then you should start a prayer list and pray regularly for them. Count on the reliability of God’s word and use promises.
+
+#### How often should we pray for them?
+
+Many earnest Christians have an extensive intercessory prayer list. Sometimes, I have the feeling that our prayers may become superficial, when we try to pray for all of them every day. I wonder: Wouldn’t it be better to pray for a small number every day – maybe even several times during the day – and then pray for the others once or a few times a week, so that we can bring at length their concerns and needs before God?
+
+#### How many people should I have special prayer for?
+
+Dennis Smith<sup>3</sup> and Josef Kidder<sup>4</sup> suggest that we should pray for five unreached people. We should establish contact with them and cultivate our friendship. Joseph Kidder says: “I have always encouraged church members to pray regularly for five people, to meet their needs in a helpful and friendly manner and to love them. As a result of this kind of prayer, I have witnessed many people accepting Jesus as their Lord. Why don’t you pray for five people, like I do, and then see what God will do for them?”
+
+#### When should I inform someone that I am praying for them?
+
+When should we tell the person concerned that we are praying for them? There are varying views on the subject. Some recommend telling them from the outset. Others suggest telling the person after you have been praying for them for three or four weeks.
+
+We could tell them that our church (prayer group, care group) has planned six weeks for a special time of prayer. In connection with this, we have been asked to pray for five people. “And I would like to pray for you. Do you have a special request for your health, family or work, which I can pray for?”
+
+#### Intercessory Prayer and Freedom
+
+son when we pray for them. The Lord has given every person freedom and completely respects that. But – I have experienced personally and my dear wife in a different situation, how the Lord redirected us with new insights. We had new thoughts. We were then suddenly willing to do what we hadn’t wanted to do before. We can read in Acts 16:14 (NKJV) about the business woman Lydia in Philippi and how “the Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul”.
+
+It is our responsibility to pray that other people will find Christ and to point them to Him. God alone can produce faith in their hearts through the Holy Spirit and transform their thinking and life. But one thing we should remember: normally, only a Spirit-filled person, who prays, can expect their prayers for the salvation of their relatives or other people to be answered.
+
+#### Answered Intercessory Prayers
+
+I have received numerous testimonies, in which church members mention such answers to prayer after they started to pray in the Holy Spirit and to live in close connection with Jesus. Examples:
+
+- An older man from an Adventist family attended church and other church meetings quite regularly. After many years, he finally decided to be baptized. (#532,4 O.)
+- The two people, who I give Bible studies to, have accepted the Sabbath. (#532,4 M.)
+- God didn’t keep us waiting. He gave us wonderful answers to prayers during the 40-Days. Someone, who we had been intensively praying for, re-established contact with the church after a long absence. It was a moment of great joy. (#532,13)
+- Her youngest son had a lot of problems with the church and so during the 40-Days of prayer, she and her prayer partner prayed especially for him. The result was that her son changed his life and started to prepare for baptism. (#532,16)
+- A man, who was unwilling to forgive, became mentally ill, lost his job and developed suicidal thoughts. His marriage also failed. This condition lasted over a year. He was won through prayer and was able to get competent pastoral counseling. Two 40-Days prayer partners prayed for him daily. The turning point came after two months. He was able to forgive, he is reunited with his wife and children, his joy for life has returned and he can work again. (#532,17)
+
+Three detailed testimonies share how decades-old tensions and not wanting anything to do with each other was resolved because of the intercessory prayer during the 40-Days of prayer. (more www.steps-to-personalrevival.info: – Testimonies: No. 3/40, 4/52, 7/84 a und 7/84 b.)
+
+May God work just as intensively on the hearts of the people you are praying for.
+
+### How Do I Maintain Contacts?
+
+The 40-Days books by Dennis Smith have some valuable advice for maintaining contacts under the section “introduction and overview”.
+
+He says: The following list provides some suggestions of what you can do for people on your prayer list so that they feel they are important to you. Add further ideas to the list as God leads you. We also added some suggestions. You can find the list in Appendix B: Suggestions of how to reach out to people.
+
+#### Our Goal:
+
+To be a blessing for others through our prayers, our example, our contact as well as by giving suitable suggestions and material, so that they can also enjoy a fulfilled life and are prepared for the soon second coming of Jesus. Under God’s leadership we want to:
+
+- Encourage people, who aren’t searching for God, to start searching for Him.
+- Lead people, who are searching, to Jesus.
+- Challenge people, who have found Jesus, to a deeper commitment. There is very good material available for this purpose. We will take a look at these materials in chapter 9: Practical helps.
+
+May the Lord give us grace to become fishers of men through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and through His training. “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
+
+“All around us are the young, the impenitent, the unconverted, and what are we doing for them? Parents, in the ardor of your first love, are you seeking for the conversion of your children, or are you engrossed with the things of this life to such an extent that you are not making earnest efforts to be laborers together with God? Do you have an appreciation of the work and mission of the Holy Spirit? Do you realize that the Holy Spirit is the agency whereby we are to reach the souls of those around us?” (E.G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 190.1)
+
+An effective witness means:
+
+**I prayfully take the initiative so that I can speak about Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit – I leave the results up to God.** <sup>5</sup>
+
+#### Revival leads to Mission work
+
+“The Holy Spirit will come to all who are begging for the bread of life to give to their neighbors.” (E.G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 90.1)
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>3</sup> Dennis Smith, 40-Days (book one) – Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming, in this book: Part Two: The Holy Spirit and Prayer, pp. 47 f
+
+<sup>4</sup> S. Joseph Kidder, ... und sie wächst doch! Vier entscheidende Faktoren für das Wachstum von Gemeinden (Lüneburg 2014), S. 101, 131, 124, 136 – English: The Big Four – Secrets to a Thriving Church Family, 2011 R&H
+
+<sup>5</sup> Wirksames Zeugnis –Wie macht man das? (Neuhausen-Stuttgart, 1971), p. 33
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. What does Jesus do for me, which no one else can? Why is it the greatest advantage that there is, when I show someone the way to Jesus?`
+
+`2. How can we become fishers of men?`
+
+`3. What does “surrender to Jesus” mean? What does it look like in practice?`
+
+`4. What possibilities for maintaining contact can you implement in your surroundings?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that God will make you increasingly aware of what Jesus means to us.
+- [ ] that God can make you Spirit-led fishers of men.
+- [ ] that God will show you how you can personally surrender to Jesus.
+- [ ] for courage and wisdom to discern the possibilities of how you can maintain contacts and be a blessing in your surroundings.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/05-i-will-make-you-fishers-of-men/05c-experiences.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/05-i-will-make-you-fishers-of-men/05c-experiences.md
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+---
+title: Experiences
+---
+
+### Reconciliation within entire communities
+
+**Experience of another church in Guadeloupe / Caribbean** – “The second experience we have experienced with another community from our district. My predecessor said, ‘You need a lot of courage for this church because you are going to a real minefield!’ We quickly realized that the tensions were very high. There were quarrels, divisions, injuries and unforgiveness. Uncontrolled emotional outbursts and personal attacks covered the entire community with a dark cloud. It was sad to see how entangled the church members were in a web of non-forgiveness and did not realize they could not make it out on their own. After house groups were founded, the brochure Steps to Personal Revival was distributed for study in these groups. The members gave a positive echo and were very grateful for this brochure, which came for them. Here, too, the members began to perform the 10 prayer and fast days individually. Finally, the desire arose to do it together as a church. The meetings took place again at four o’clock in the morning. At first, there were not many people, but gradually there were more and there was a wonderful, peaceful, spiritual atmosphere. One sensed that God was working. He miraculously prepared the church for the final step that was so hard for her: the step to true forgiveness. Eventually, the wall fell and one person after another publicly begged forgiveness. Others were directly addressing the person with whom they were arguing and asking for forgiveness. They hugged each other. Tears flowed. The sad faces became happy again and love returned to their hearts. It is always a wonderful experience to see and experience. Only God can guide people through his Holy Spirit. There is also hope for minefields.” (B. & F. H. #84b Guadeloupe)
+
+**A church member from Southern Germany wrote** – My friend and I are currently studying 40-Days Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming for the third time, alternating with the book Steps to Personal Revival. Before we discovered this material, our faith experience and prayer life weren’t what they had once been. We longed to find our “first love” again. We have found it! We thank God with our whole hearts. It is so wonderful how our loving God answers prayers and reveals how His Spirit is working – on us and on the people we are praying for. M. S.
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+title: "Chapter 5: “I Will Make You Fishers Of Men”"
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+---
+title: Why Should We Lead People To Jesus First?
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Good reasons for the correct order: 10 reasons why we should lead people to Jesus first, before we teach them about the doctrines in the Bible. Sequence: First Jesus, then discipleship and the Holy Spirit, biblical doctrines, baptism, training.
+
+### Review
+
+The last topic was about Jesus’ words: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 NKJV) Jesus invites us to become His apprentices. He wants to train us to become fishers of men. He wants to train us personally. We couldn’t ask for a better master. It is a joy when we become Jesus’ apprentices and our abilities are developed. The core of the training: Jesus Himself will develop these abilities through us and in us. The condition is our willingness to follow Christ. How?
+
+1. By daily consecrating our lives to Him – with everything we are and have – and
+2. By daily asking by faith (praying using promises – 2 Peter 1:4) for the Holy Spirit.
+
+We shouldn’t think that our “apprenticeship” will be completed someday. There is an adage that says: “A master is, who devises something. A journey-man is, who can do something. An apprentice is, everybody.” The master and the journeyman also have to continue learning. We will also never stop learning about the science of saving souls.
+
+#### What is the highest and best that we can do for a person?
+
+We certainly will become more and more aware that our personal and close relationship with Jesus is the most valuable relationship that we can have. Jesus wants to give us an “abundant life” now in this life (John 10:10). After His second coming, He will give us eternal life – in God’s glorious kingdom (John 3:16). There is no substitute for this vital relationship. “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 NKJV) When the joy of this relationship fulfills us and we have valuable experiences with Jesus, then we will realize that this is also an **irreplaceable and valuable relationship for our fellowmen**. The highest and best that we can do for someone is helping them experience this enriching friendship. This relationship is more valuable than gold.
+
+#### How do we become fishers of men?
+
+We become witnesses for Jesus when He lives in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. In the last chapter, we saw in the personal experiences how strongly our interest for others is kindled, when Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit. We want to hear two more testimonies:
+
+A person wrote after they had been daily praying for the Holy Spirit for a time:
+
+“We have observed that our prayers have made a difference in our life. And we couldn’t keep this to ourselves. Every chance we got, we felt the urge to tell about it. It was important to me to motivate other people to have the same experience. The effect was forthcoming. Some church members were infected by our enthusiasm.” (#432,13)
+
+Another person wrote:
+
+“Subsequently, her son changed his life and he started to prepare for baptism. I was infected by her enthusiasm and now I am praying for a prayer partner and have started to read the two books.” (#432,16)
+
+#### What life work do you and I have?
+
+Does it consist of leading people to Jesus? It says the following in the book Christian Service: “To save souls should be the life work of everyone who professes Christ.” (E.G. White, Christian Service, p. 10.1)
+
+Jesus Himself gave us the commission, when He said: “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21 NKJV) In addition, we know His commands: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” (Matthew 28:19 NKJV) “... you shall be witnesses to Me ...” (Acts 1:8 NKJV) “... and I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6 NKJV)
+
+Many have strived in this direction. Sometimes with success, often without success. We have to admit that many of us have fallen very short of Jesus’ commission. We should take an honest inventory here. Many need to acknowledge as did Peter: “... we have toiled all night and caught nothing.” (Luke 5:5 NKJV) Are the results satisfactory for me? Did I fulfill the prerequisites, which we discussed in the last chapter? Was the problem possibly caused by the lack of the Holy Spirit? Shouldn’t we respond as Peter did: “... nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5:5 NKJV)
+
+#### Prerequisites for Fishers of Men
+
+We want to briefly review the prerequisites:
+
+- Have I completely surrendered my life to Jesus? Do I want to obey Him and His word in everything? Have I daily renewed my relationship with Him through complete surrender?
+- While doing this work, was I filled with the Holy Spirit? Did I daily ask by faith for the Holy Spirit and receive Him? (It’s best to pray using promises, see 2 Peter 1:4.)
+- Did I actively pray for the person, before I did something for him/her?
+- Did I look for personal contact and show genuine interest in the life of the person? (Suggestions how to do this are in the Appendix B Suggestions of how to reach out to people and in the 40-Days books, vol. 1 and 2 by Dennis Smith )
+
+#### A Richly Blessed Method
+
+been extensively tested in practice. It will give us new courage to once again proceed in the name of Jesus.
+
+First of all, we want to pray often or daily:
+
+“**Father in heaven, make me willing to gladly do everything You want. Please create in me the desire to help win a lost world for You**.”
+
+Yes, by the grace of God, Jesus can lead people to Himself through you and me. He accomplishes this through Spirit-filled disciples, in whose hearts He lives through the Holy Spirit. Don’t consider this work for others as a burden. Our guiding principle should be:
+
+**I take the initiative through prayer to testify of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. I leave the results up to God.**
+
+Our work will never be a burden with this attitude. Rather, it is a privilege to work for Jesus. It is a wonderful work, when we can lead people closer or completely to Jesus. That is the best and most important thing we can do for other people.
+
+### Why Should We Lead People To Jesus First?
+
+Why should we lead people to Jesus first, before we discuss biblical doctrines? At this point, I would like to emphasize again how vital it is for our work that we are in Christ – that Christ is in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16-17). The Bible calls this spiritual state “being in Christ” or “Christ in you” (Colossians 1:17) and also “born again” (John 3:3) or “born of God” (1 John 5:18). I want to stress once again what E.G. White masterfully summarized about Jesus’ words in John 15:4:
+
+“‘Abide in Me, and I in you.’ This means:
+
+- a constant receiving of His Spirit,
+- a life of unreserved surrender to His service.” (Desire of Ages, p. 676.2)
+
+Every morning we can receive the Holy Spirit at our request by faith (Galatians 3:14). We effectively receive Him, when we believe that while we are asking that we have already received Him (1 John 5:14-15; Mark 11:24). Some people have a problem with this. But it is a fact: As long as we pray in general terms, we usually only hope that we have received the Holy Spirit. But in this case, “hoping” isn’t enough. That’s why I recommend: pray using a promise, so that you “know” that you have indeed received the Holy Spirit. Praying with promises strengthens our complete trust. Please, if necessary, reread the book Steps to Personal Revival, particularly the chapter “The Key to Practical Experience: praying with promises”. This chapter discusses in detail praying with promises. Praying with promises is recommended quite clearly in 2 Peter 1:4: “By which [knowledge of Jesus and an intimate relationship with Him] have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature ...” (NKJV)
+
+The second point “a life of unreserved surrender to His service” can be daily realized, when we honestly and earnestly pray: “Father in heaven, I surrender myself with everything that I am and have.”
+
+### Why Should We Lead People To Jesus First, Before We Teach Them Biblical Doctrines?
+
+When you button the first button wrong, then it is difficult. Maintaining the correct order always brings advantages. It makes it easier for these dear people, who you want to lead to Jesus, to become a Christian. In addition, it promotes our joy, strength and our whole life.
+
+**1. We want to lead people to Jesus first, because we don’t want to recommend an impossible path to anyone.**
+
+Usually, the dear person that we want to lead to Christ, isn’t living in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we teach someone the doctrines in the Bible, then we pray and hope that they will accept them and put them into practice. But usually this person, who hasn’t yet been filled with the Holy Spirit, is lacking motivation and strength. As a rule, he isn’t a spiritual person yet. The Bible says in Romans 8:7 the following about such a person: “... for they do not obey God’s law, **and in fact they cannot obey it**.” (GNT)
+
+If we were to teach them biblical doctrines at this point of time, then we would only build a “mountain” for these dear people, which they cannot overcome. We would lead them to be carnal Christians, meaning living a Christian life in their own strength. This person has only normal human strength and abilities available. But when someone has received Christ and been filled with the Holy Spirit, then he has much better conditions for accepting and living out the biblical doctrines.
+
+At this juncture, I would like to recommend reading the book Steps to Personal Revival, the chapter “What is the center of our problems?” and the portion “What is the main obstacle in carnal Christianity?”
+
+How joyful obedience can be is covered in the book Abide in Jesus, the chapter “Obedience through Jesus”.
+
+**2. We want to lead people to Jesus first, because they are lost without Jesus.**
+
+“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 NKJV) Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 NKJV) The Bible says clearly: “Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.” (Acts 4:12 GNT)
+
+**3. We want to lead people to Jesus, because they experience a valuable renewal through Him.**
+
+Jesus gives us here a new, worthwhile life and after He comes again He will let us be partakers of the divine life for eternity. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV) “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV) Paul prayed: “... that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19 NKJV) “For in Him [Jesus] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him ...” (Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV)
+
+**4. We want to lead people to Jesus, because He gives us true freedom.**
+
+Jesus said: “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NKJV) Jesus frees us from guilt. This means that we can live without the burden of guilt. He frees us from the tyranny of our ego, i. e. from the depravity of our old nature (resentment, envy, anger, pride, inferiority complexes, dissatisfaction, doubt, pettiness, etc.) from addictions, from occult ties, etc.
+
+A word about being freed from our old depraved nature. I feel that asking **daily** to be freed from this character is important, because 2 Corinthians 4:16 says: “... yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” The apostle Paul said about himself: “... I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NKJV) And Martin Luther is supposed to have said that he drowned the old Adam, but “oh dear, the guy can swim.” I pray daily to be freed with the promise in John 8:36. At the moment, I can’t say if this will always be necessary or only for a certain period of time.
+
+However, we can be completely free from the bondage of outward things through one prayer, such as smoking or alcohol.<sup>6</sup> When someone has become free, then new temptations still lurk all around them. That is why it is important to lead the freed person to an intimate relationship with Jesus, to a life in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is also why, for example, people at Alcoholics Anonymous are taught to daily surrender their life to God, so that they can remain free.
+
+Remember that the power of sin will be broken in our lives (Romans 8:1-2; Galatians 5:16). Jesus protects us from sin. Satan cannot touch us (1 John 5:18). Jesus wants to give our fellowmen all of this through us.
+
+“... where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV)
+
+**5. We want to lead people to Jesus, because God’s love compels us to.**
+
+The Holy Spirit fills born again Christians with God’s love (Romans 5:5) and moves their hearts so that they want to tell others about Jesus. “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others ... For Christ’s love compels us ... And he (Christ) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:11,14-15 NIV)
+
+We are given the Holy Spirit for two reasons:
+
+1. For the transformation of our charactersthe Bible calls this the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7).
+2. And to be witnesses for Jesus. “But you will receive power (also ability) when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8 NIV) – This is the reason we receive spiritual gifts.
+
+**6. We want to lead people to Jesus, so that they won’t be condemned by God’s judgement.**
+
+Is it really necessary to include the message of the judgement? The message of the judgement challenges us: Commit yourselves to Jesus so that you don’t have to be condemned in God’s judgement.
+
+The Bible says:
+
+“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV)
+
+“Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him ...” (Revelation 14:7 NKJV)
+
+The first phase of the judgement – the judgement before the second coming – already started in 1844 according to Daniel 8:14. Naturally, the people, who lived in ancient times, are examined first. And since then, the investigations are moving towards the cases of the end times.
+
+“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear<sup>7</sup> lest any of you seem to have come short of it.” (Hebrews 4:1 NKJV).
+
+This text urges us to contemplation: am I saved? and “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try **to persuade others** ...” (2 Corinthians 5:11 NIV) The fear of God and the knowledge of the coming judgement should motivate us to want to save other people.
+
+E.G. White gives a very good explanation of the term “fear”:
+
+“The Lord would have his people trust in him and abide in his love, but that does not mean that we shall have no fear or misgivings. Some seem to think that if a man has a wholesome fear of the judgments of God, it is a proof that he is destitute of faith; but this is not so. **A proper fear of God, in believing his threatenings, works the peaceable fruits of righteousness, by causing the trembling soul to flee to Jesus**. Many ought to have this spirit today, and turn to the Lord with humble contrition, for the Lord has not given so many terrible threatenings, pronounced so severe judgments in his word, simply to have them recorded, but he means what he says. ... Paul says, ‘Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, **we persuade men**.’ ...” (R&H, Oct. 21, 1890, par. 6)
+
+How can we find a balance between the different statements about fear? For example, we have in 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love.” (NKJV) When I think of Romans 5:5, then I realize: “... the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (NKJV) Christ lives in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. When He is in our hearts and remains there, then He represents us in the judgement. He says in John 5:24 NKJV: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
+
+Two more comments on this text: “Believing” is vital. I once searched for the following in the internet: “Belief according to the Bible”. Four terms came up. In the Bible belief means: “to entrust oneself”, “to bind your existence to someone else”, “to rely on someone” and “to be loyal to someone”. It’s about this relationship of faith with Jesus. The life of each individual will be examined in God’s judgement. But, for those who believe Jesus, for those who are in Christ, there is no condemnation, because Jesus bears their guilt.
+
+This shows us that it doesn’t suffice to only speak about God’s love – although it is naturally our main objective. We should also point out that one day God will hold everyone accountable. We shouldn’t omit the judgement message. But it is important to pass this on with wisdom. At the same time, we should make it clear that with the judgement, all evil will end and hence every dispute, every illness and all pain will be eradicated. There will be no more distress or death! In addition, we should point out that everyone, who lives closely connected to Christ, doesn’t need to have any fear of God’s judgement. God promises every person, who is in Christ, acquittal at the trial.
+
+In the Russian campaign during WWII, the following took place: German soldiers were in the frontline trenches and knew that they lay opposite the Russians. A troop of German soldiers joined them and momentarily didn’t recognize where the frontline was. They would have gone directly into the arms of the Russians, if a German soldier in the trench hadn’t yelled “stop”. Only then did they realize the danger they were in. The Germans in the trenches wanted to save their comrades.
+
+We are also obligated to warn our fellowmen about God’s judgement and we should show them the solution to this problem. We tell people out of love that there will be a judgement. They then have a chance to protect themselves. If we were to withhold this from them, then they could one day bitterly reproach us. It is our duty to show our fellowmen an alternative so that they can make a good decision.
+
+**7. Because witnessing for Jesus is also a help for us.**
+
+Speaking about Jesus is a help for us. Those, who speak about Jesus, grow in faith. Speaking about Jesus results in repercussions for me. We will notice how this motivates us to have a deeper prayer life and to keep finding new insights in God’s word.
+
+When we speak of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, then we are sowing love, joy and peace. According to the divine principle of planting and harvesting, we will harvest what we have sown. We will even harvest more. A harvest is normally a multiple of the seed. Jesus said in the parable of the sower: thirtyfold, sixtyfold, 100fold (Mark 4:20). For example, when we sow love, we will harvest love, but always more than we originally sowed. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NKJV)
+
+**8. Because we can be God’s ambassadors by bearing witness of Jesus.**
+
+It is a great privilege to be God’s ambassador. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV) Every ambassador considers it a great honor to represent his country, his president or his king. As Jesus disciples, we are ambassadors of the King of kings, the Lord of lords. This is the highest honor we can have.
+
+**9. Because the Holy Spirit gives us divine abilities and authority.**
+
+E.G. White commented on Acts 1:8: “Jesus says, ‘Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me.’ It is the union of the Holy Spirit and the testimony of the living witness that is to warn the world. The worker for God is the agent through which the heavenly communication is given, and the Holy Spirit gives divine authority to the word of truth.” (RH, April 4,1893, par. 9) Here, the word “power” means: power, empowerment, authorization. It means that the Holy Spirit empowers and authorizes us to be witnesses for Jesus. Have we thought enough about the fact that we receive abilities and authority from the Holy Spirit?
+
+**10. We want to lead people to Jesus, because Christ has given us a commission to do this.**
+
+Jesus said in His parting words:
+
+“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV) We call Jesus’ words the Great Commission.
+
+Does Jesus expect us to obey His commission? Please remember that our obedience by faith is expected. It has three aspects:
+
+1. My decision
+2. My steps of preparation
+3. God accomplishes
+
+Let’s look at Daniel as an example (Daniel 1:8-9):
+
+1. Daniel purposed in his heart. Daniel made a decision.
+2. His steps of preparation: What could he do himself? He prayed together with his friends about the problematic situation. In addition, he thought about what else he could do. The result: He made a petition to the chief steward.
+3. “**Now God** had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” (Verse 9 NKJV)
+
+My willingness to be obedient always comes first: Do I want to obey Jesus’ commission? After I have made a positive decision, then I start the steps of preparation, which are within my means. I pray for the person, seek contact and maintain personal contact.
+
+(When Christ lives through the Holy Spirit in our hearts, then He will assist us step by step.)
+
+God wants to lead these people to salvation! He will work on their hearts.
+
+Maybe there are even more reasons why we want lead people to Jesus. But in conclusion, we want to remember what many soul winners have learned:
+
+I want to be clear again that training, material and methods are completely worthless, if we don’t act in the authority and power of the Holy Spirit.
+
+And now comes the big question:
+
+### How can I speak about Jesus?
+
+There are lots of different ways and conversational approaches to use in speaking about Jesus. **One** way, which has been tried and tested, is starting with a small workbook. In the next chapter, we will discuss in detail how to use a workbook.
+
+Our next chapter is:
+
+**How can we lead people to Jesus?**
+
+What are 12 good reasons for using such a workbook? What practical experiences can we draw from? How can I work with a tried and tested workbook?
+
+At the moment, we only want to take a quick glance at it. The critical point for most of us is finding the right way to start a conversation. How can I casually and authentically speak about faith? What opening question leads tactfully and directly to the main point?
+
+- How can I introduce someone to Jesus and show them a simple outline of the plan of salvation?
+- How can I make a spiritual diagnosis, so that the individual knows where they are standing and where they want to go in the future? This is important to me so that I can give specific support.
+- How can I help someone, who already wants to accept Jesus?
+
+Thank God, that there are good answers to these questions. They are all in the brochure “Seize Life”. Anyone can learn to use this brochure. Actually, this method has been used for years around the world – with great success! It is important that many more people use it for the salvation of others and for the joy of the helpers.
+
+We want to thank our Lord with all our heart that He makes us willing and able – to lead people to Jesus as well.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: “Father in heaven, make me willing to want everything you want. Please, awaken the desire in me to help with the great task of winning a lost world for You. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You will lead me with Your good Spirit. AMEN.”
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>6</sup> See Victory over Tobbaco & Alcohol www.Steps-to-personal-revival.info: Letters to Andrew No. 5 – Missionary tools.
+
+<sup>7</sup> It doesn’t have to do with reverence here, but rather fear, misgivings. NKJV: “Let us fear”; RSV: “Let us fear”
\ No newline at end of file
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@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. What sequence should we follow, when we want to be effective fishers of men?`
+
+`2. What are the conditions for being a fisher of men?`
+
+`3. Name a few reasons, why we should lead people to Jesus first, before we teach them biblical doctrines.`
+
+`4. What do you find valuable in the following principle? I prayfully take the initiative to witness about Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. I leave the results up to God.`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] to be able to authentically witness for Jesus.
+- [ ] that God will make me ready to want to gladly do everything God wants.
+- [ ] to understand why it is so vital to lead people to Jesus first.
+- [ ] for wisdom to correctly assess what people, whom I am in contact with, need spiritually.
\ No newline at end of file
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 6: Why Should We Lead People To Jesus First?"
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+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07a-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus.md
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+---
+title: How Can We Lead People To Jesus?
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Through reading a Bible lesson together using Letter to Andrew No. 13. Seize life through a personal relationship with God
+
+We first consider the two crucial steps in chapters 7 and 8. Then in chapter 9 the order in which we can usually use the Letters to Andrew.
+
+#### Why is it good to use a booklet?
+
+The Adventist Evangelist Eiden K. Walter wrote to me: “As far as I am concerned, I do not want to take these steps – leading people to Jesus – without a booklet. It is so helpful. It gives confidence to the beginner and it serves a very practical purpose.
+
+The twelve advantages of a booklet are:
+
+1. It contains the key messages of the gospel.
+2. The reader doesn’t only have individual, often misleading statements in front of them, but also has the gospel in context. It is a simple outline of the plan of salvation.
+3. A good structure makes the gospel easier to understand. Your conversation partner not only has something to listen to, but also has something to look at at the same time (audiovisual aid).
+4. It helps us to stay on topic and to direct the conversation.
+5. It starts out positive, i.e. with God's love for us.
+6. It leads to implementing what is heard in a natural way.
+7. There are suggestions for growth and it shows the importance of the church.
+8. You can concentrate better on the person you are talking to because you know what you want to say.
+9. It helps you to start a conversation about questions of faith. For example, you can simply say: I have discovered a booklet that summarizes the key messages of the Bible. Are you already acquainted with it?
+10. It also helps those, who are not yet familiar with the Bible, to explain the gospel to others and to lead them to a personal relationship with Christ.
+11. You can give it to the other person after your conversation with them. You should do that too! Most people keep it in their Bible.
+12. At the same time, the participant who is led to Jesus learns how to show others the way to Him.
+
+There are even more good reasons. Try it out after praying and then prayerfully put it into practice. Learning by experience is better than studying. If possible, I would never discuss this important step with anyone without this booklet.”
+
+#### A few selected experiences:
+
+**Experience 1**: “I was able to have only one conversation with a 40-year-old manager. To start, I asked key question number 1 and she was willing to go through the brochure with me. Unfortunately, she wasn’t willing to accept Jesus that day. However, when parting, she said: ‘I want to thank you most sincerely. For the first time in my life, I now know what the Christian faith is about.’ At the moment, this lady wasn’t ready yet. But at least she knew after our conversation the way to Jesus and could take that path anytime in the future. Of course, I left the booklet Seize Life there for her.”
+
+**Experience 2**: “During a trip from Bagdad to Mossul in Iraq, I shared a sleeping coach compartment with an Iraqi student. We were able to communicate in English. After the first question, he also wanted to know how he could have assurance. In the end, he was ready for a prayer of surrender to Jesus Christ. I had explained to him, what such a prayer should include and asked him if he wanted to pray such a prayer. He said that he would pray along those lines, but that he couldn’t remember everything. I should pray sentence for sentence and he would repeat after me. So that is what we did. I wished him God’s rich blessings on this path to Jesus and called his attention to the fact that there was an Adventist church in his home city of Bagdad.”
+
+**Experience 3**: “During my first visit to a new church district, I got to know a nice church member and her 17-year-old son. The young man was impaired from thalidomide. After the opening question, they were both willing and interested in reading the brochure Seize Life with me. They were both open to surrendering their lives to Jesus in prayer. The young man was baptized some time later. In some of his public testimonies, he joyfully professed that his life as an impaired person had attained a completely new dimension through Jesus.”
+
+**Experience 4**: “Another time, I conversed with a 38-year-old man, who was married to an Adventist. He was a chain smoker (70 cigarettes a day) and couldn’t quit smoking. I explained to him how he could immediately and completely become free with God’s help through prayer and claiming God’s promises. And that is what happened. – Shortly afterwards, he revealed a further problem to me: He drank 10-14 bottles of beer a day. He now wanted to stop drinking as well. We prayed again and the Lord gave him complete deliverance from alcohol. – The next time I met him, I went through the brochure Seize Life with him. He was open to the questions and thoughts. After we prayed the prayer of surrender together, I asked him: ‘Assuming you would die tonight, would you be saved?’ He answered: ‘Of course.’ His wife was aghast. He then explained: ‘Jesus answered my first prayer and freed me from tobacco, in my second prayer He freed me from alcohol and since I have invited Him in my life, He has come into my life. So, I am saved.’ He was right. He then started to have morning worship with his dear wife. He was ready for Bible studies and was soon baptized. (You can find all the details for this deliverance in the Letter to Andrew number 5: “Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol”. This way can be used for other addictions as well.)”
+
+**Please take the enclosed Starter-Set and read the original Letter to Andrew No. 13 “Seize Life”.** This valuable and worldwide-proven tool (with different titles) is used when leading someone to Jesus. In Chapter 9 “Practical Aids”, you will find basic information about the Starter-Set and the other Letters to Andrew.
+
+After reading Letter to Andrew No. 13, please return to the book and continue reading in Chapter 7. This chapter about Letter to Andrew No. 13 is prepared as a practical guide to use with people you contact. In addition, it contains remarks in cursive and questions that you can use to lead a person to Jesus. These questions will help them make a decision.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Read Letter to Andrew No. 13 “Seize Life”
+
+After reading this, please come back to this point in the book. Thank you!
+
+#### What opening question can be used to tactfully and straightforwardly motivate reading Letter to Andrew No. 13 “Seize Life” with a friend, which leads to a personal relationship to God?
+
+I ask:
+
+“May I ask you a very important question?”
+
+Everyone always answers yes. Even if we talked about completely different things, I was always able to get straight to the main point with this question.
+
+Then I ask:
+
+**Key question number 1**:
+
+_“Assuming you were to die today – heart attack, accident, etc.! Would you have the assurance of eternal life with Jesus Christ?”_ – The answer is usually “no”, sometimes “I hope” and rarely “yes!”. I never comment on these answers. Only when someone answered “yes”, did I go on to ask the **key question number 1a**. I then said:
+
+**Key question number 1a**:
+
+_“May I ask you another question?”_ I always received their permission, then I would ask:
+
+_“Assuming God would ask you: Why do you believe you may go to heaven?”_
+
+The answer shows if a person relies on justification by works or justification by faith. I also never comment on this answer. The Letter to Andrew shows that we are saved by God’s grace through faith.
+
+**Key question number 2**:
+
+_“Do you want to have this assurance?”_ This was always answered in the affirmative.
+
+_“Do you have a few minutes to read something on this topic together?”_
+
+If this was answered in the affirmative – which is the rule – **then I would hand over the Letter to Andrew number 13 to read together**. (Have multiple copies with you in case there are several people.)
+
+While reading together, we can help people reflect by asking questions. But if possible, we shouldn’t ask any more questions than are shown here. We often say too much and distract with it.
+
+In the following paragraphs, everything that is written in handwriting is what I would say in addition. I recommend you write it down in your copy of the leaflet. I do it like this. Please keep in mind that this is our crucial tool to lead people to Jesus. It is the only Letter to Andrew that we want to prepare so thoroughly.
+
+**Now we start reading with our friend**
+
+_“Let us start to read:”_
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07b-seize-life.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07b-seize-life.md
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07b-seize-life.md
@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+---
+title: Seize Life – Through a personal relationship with God Letter to Andrew No. 13
+---
+
+_“We are just repeating our important question. I took it out of here. She impressed me very much.“_
+
+Dear Andrew <sup>8</sup>,
+
+Can I straight away ask you an extremely important question?
+
+> <p></p>
+> Assuming that you were to die today (heart attack?, accident?), would you have the assurance of eternal life with Jesus Christ? Don’t remain in the dark! Five facts will help you find an answer.
+
+Whoever searches for a relationship with God, will make the discovery of a lifetime:
+
+### 1. God loves me!
+
+“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10 NKJV)
+
+That is why God has a plan for me. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.” (John 3:16-17 NKJV)
+
+Jesus promises: “... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+**God offers me great things**:
+
+- A meaningful and full life – now
+- Eternal life – later
+
+Why isn’t God’s offer given much validity? What is the reason behind this painful reality?
+
+### 2. We have separated ourselves from God!
+
+From the beginning, humans were called to fellowship with God. They had a personal relationship with God. By their own free will, they separated themselves from God. They thought they could be independent this way. And so, the close relationship to God was lost.
+
+The Bible calls this decision by human beings “sin”. It doesn’t matter whether it manifests itself as active rebellion or passive indifference towards God.
+
+**Sin separates us from God**.
+
+The Bible explains what sin is:
+
+“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2 NKJV)
+
+“Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law, because sin is a breaking of the law.” (1 John 3:4 GNT)
+
+“All wrongdoing is sin ...” (1 John 5:17 GNT)
+
+Many realize that their life has no meaning. That is why they strive for a meaningful life. But how? Without God?
+
+However, an honest and respectable life, ideas for bettering the world or religious achievements do not straddle the abyss between us and God. Sin, with all its consequences, is not eliminated with all these efforts.
+
+What is God’s answer to all these human efforts?
+
+### 3. Jesus Christ died because of my sins!
+
+His death paid the price for my sins:
+
+“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)
+
+“Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34 NKJV)
+
+Jesus Himself said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NKJV)
+
+God did for me, what I can’t do myself: He spanned the separating abyss between me and Him. This happened when the Son of God died on behalf of my sins.
+
+“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NKJV)
+
+We can find a personal relationship with God through Jesus.
+
+It’s not enough to know this fact. God is waiting for a reaction. It could look something like this:
+
+### 4. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior
+
+“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)
+
+Accepting Him means:
+
+- Living with Him in a personal relationship,
+- Faith and trust in Him.
+
+“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him ...” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV)
+
+Two possibilities:
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Possibility 1](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content-07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/image1.png)
+
+**My ego as the center of my life**.
+
+My ego governs.
+
+The results are, for example, desire for admiration, doubt, insecurity, guilt, internal unrest, etc.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Possibility 2](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content-07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/image2.png)
+
+**Jesus Christ as the center of my life**.
+
+Jesus Christ leads me. The advantages are among other things: peace, certainty, forgiveness, love, new and eternal life.
+
+My answer to the following questions is vital:
+
+- Which illustration portrays my life?
+- More the upper illustration or the lower illustration? (We can help by perhaps saying:)
+
+_“Let’s look at the illustrations again.”_
+
+(Pause a moment afterwards and then ask:)
+
+_“At the moment does the left or right illustration apply more?”_ (We don’t comment about their answer, but rather say:)
+
+_“Let’s continue reading:”_
+
+- What do I want my life to look like?
+- Which illustration do you wish for in your future? (We can now ask:)
+
+_“Which illustration do you wish for in your future?”_ (We don’t comment on the answer, but say perhaps:)
+
+_“Let’s continue reading:”_
+
+- What could hinder me from accepting Christ in my life now? (After a short pause, we can ask:)
+
+_“What could hinder you from accepting Christ now?”_
+
+(Usually the answer is: “Nothing ...”)
+
+(We don’t comment on the answer, but continue reading:)
+
+_“Let’s go on to read on page 4:”_
+
+Please read including prayer.
+
+(But please note that you should read the prayer slowly and very clearly.)
+
+#### How can I accept Jesus Christ in my life?
+
+I can make a decision today, now, for Jesus Christ. It is so simple to speak with Jesus. The Bible calls this “**prayer**”. My prayer could be something like this:
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Suggested Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, I want to thank You that You died and rose again for me. I am a sinner, please forgive me. Please come into my life now. I can’t save myself. I can’t earn eternal life. That is why I trust You. Free me from the power of evil. Give me strength to follow You. I surrender myself to You with everything I have and am. I accept eternal life. I haven’t earned it; but I thank You for this gift. AMEN.”
+
+**Can you say ‘yes’ to this prayer?**
+
+May I recommend carefully to read this prayer through a second time. The question is: Is it consistent with your will? Remember: your will is God’s landing place in your life.
+
+_“I am going to read this aloud again, so that you can decide if you can say yes to this prayer.”_
+
+Now, please read the prayer a second time aloud slowly and clearly.
+
+#### Second reading
+
+After this second reading ask: _“Can you say yes to this prayer?”_
+
+After a short pause, during which we received approval, either in the word or on the face, we go on.
+
+I suggest that we/you pray the prayer aloud now.
+
+_“Before that, let's read the next sentence:”_
+
+When yes, then I want to personally surrender myself to Jesus Christ with the words of this suggested prayer. He will hear my prayer.
+
+_“If it’s ok with you, let’s kneel down.”_ It is best to kneel on such a prayer. (But it doesn't have to be.)
+
+**Prayer**
+
+After you prayed together, you can say:
+
+_“My congratulations! Our dear Lord has heard your prayer. We will just continue reading to the end to see what this means in detail.”_
+
+### 5. My new life with Jesus Christ
+
+My new life isn’t based on a feeling, rather on the facts in God’s word:
+
+“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 GNT)
+
+Some may expect an exhilarating feeling after this prayer. An engineer said disappointedly:
+
+“I have given Jesus Christ my word with this prayer of surrender. But I am missing the corresponding feelings.”
+
+You have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. Your prayer of surrender created **a new fact**, because God and His word are reliable. The following realization is important in this context: **Facts aren’t dependent on our feelings**. Facts are completely valid without any feelings. They are independent from my feelings.
+
+For example: Your birthday is on a certain day. But you have absolutely no birthday feelings! **The fact is**: your birthday is on this day – even when you don’t have any birthday feelings.
+
+You know the times table. For example: 2 x 2 = 4; or 4 x 4 = 16. **The times table is a fact** – you don’t have to feel that. Feelings are inappropriate here. Feelings are not a gauge of facts!
+
+The engineer was relieved when he realized: “I have said yes to Jesus Christ. I am now a Christian – even without the corresponding feelings. Unfortunately, my mother never explained this simple principle to me.”
+
+#### What is new or has changed in my life?
+
+1. Christ has entered my life. (Revelation 3:20; Colossians 1:27)
+2. Christ forgives my guilt. (Colossians 1:14; 1 John 1:9)
+3. I belong to God – I am His child. (1 John 3:1)
+4. My life now has deep meaning. (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15,17)
+5. Christ helps me to follow His instructions. (John 14:15; 15:10-11)
+6. I am preparing to make a covenant with Christ through baptism. (Mark 16:16)
+7. Christ gives me eternal life. (1 John 5:12)
+
+Jesus promises: “I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10b GNT)
+
+#### Life is growth, Stagnation is regression.
+
+That is why:
+
+- I don’t look at myself, but rather at Jesus Christ.
+- I rely on God’s redemption, not on my fluctuating feelings.
+- I keep a close connection with my Lord.
+- I maintain a prayer life.
+- I read daily in the Bible – God’s word.
+- I have regular fellowship with like-minded Christians.
+- I profess Jesus Christ in my surroundings.
+- I prepare for baptism.
+- I am looking forward to the second coming of my Lord.
+
+You have started a new life with Jesus Christ. I am happy for you. I want to compare your decision with an engagement. An engagement takes place in private. A beautiful time follows the engagement. You get to know each other better, you learn to love and trust each other more and the new relationship becomes deeper. When the time comes that you want to belong to each other forever, then the wedding follows. A wedding with Christ is equivalent to biblical baptism.
+
+“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16 GNT)
+
+Maybe you could read my letter through several times, because I have attempted to summarize the essence of our relationship to God through Jesus Christ.
+
+#### How can I get to know Jesus Christ better?
+
+The same way we get to know any person, who isn’t present. By conversations (telephone calls). In this case, we call it “prayer”. By reading about them. It is highly recommended to read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) in the New Testament of the Bible. They tell about the life of Jesus. It gives a good overview. In addition, a topical Bible study is recommended – for indepth insights. There are free Bible correspondence courses in any country.
+
+Naturally, it is now a matter of enjoying and maintaining our new relationship of trust with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has given us a vital help for this purpose: life in God’s strength. I am looking forward to sharing more about this in my next letter. (Life in God’s strength – how?)
+
+Jesus longs for an enduring and sincere relationship with you. He said: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4 NKJV)
+
+Now, I have invited Jesus Christ into my life with this prayer. I trust that He will keep His promises in my life: “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.” (John 6:37 GNT)
+
+“But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.” (1 John 1:9 GNT)
+
+God’s word gives me assurance: “Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 GNT)
+
+_Helmut and my friend Kurt (Helmut Haubeil and Kurt Hasel)_
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>8</sup> The name was selected to remind us of the biblical Andrew, who led his brother Petrus to Jesus (John 1:40-42).
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07c-first-step-in-right-direction.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07c-first-step-in-right-direction.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+---
+title: The First Step in the Right Direction
+---
+
+Your heart will be filled with great joy, when a dear person says the prayer of surrender in the Letter to Andrew number 13. But remember that this is only the first step, but very important step, in the right direction. They aren’t ready to be baptized yet (normally), but rather they are probably ready for discipleship studies or Bible studies.
+
+The end of the letter makes it very easy to recommend a further Bible study together. And it will certainly be accepted under these positive circumstances.
+
+#### No to prayer
+
+If the person doesn’t say yes to the prayer, then you can say:
+
+_“You have the brochure and can pray this prayer later if you want. But we can finish reading it together now.”_
+
+If they have no objections, then you can finish reading the brochure together. Then, we can come back to it later and suggest that they re-read the brochure so that they develop a personal relationship with Christ. If you don’t want to use the brochure in your second attempt, then use the pamphlet The Way to Eternal Life (see also attachment C at the end of the book or www.steps-to-personal-revival.info – Letters to Andrew). It deals with the same topic, but with a different train of thought. It is included as Z1 in the Starter-Set. Our friend doesn't even notice that we are repeating our efforts to lead him to Jesus. It is important that we gain clarity for this step in prayer and move forward in prayer.
+
+#### Encouragement
+
+This booklet was and is an excellent tool for me. I guess I’ve gone through this booklet with 400 to 500 people over the years. A large part of this happened in a one-on-one conversation and at the first meeting. Many of them became followers of Jesus. Sometimes people asked me during our initial contact to visit their relatives or friends to bring them this message. It is a tremendous help for the first part of a contact. It leads to having Discipleship Studies or Bible studies or lectures together. There is plenty of good material available now for further visits.
+
+In chapter 9 I show how one can move forward in the introduction to Jesus after a few additional preparatory steps.
+
+#### Practical Tips
+
+It can be a great help if you write down the questions from above (in cursive) in your own copy of the leaflet.
+
+If you like, you can practice the whole procedure with a friend or family member so that you can gain confidence. And if you don’t feel comfortable helping your acquaintance with questions, then read it together without any questions or postpone it until another time. Or pray earnestly about it and give it to the person to read alone.
+
+If someone wants to rid themselves of tobacco and/or alcohol or any kind of addiction, use Letter to Andrew number 5: “Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol. How can you become completely free from addictions with God's help?” On the page 127 under Experience 4 is a short example. – It is very important to lead the freed person to Jesus either with “Seize Life” or/ and “The Way to Eternal Life" so that they can resist temptation. It's about avoiding a relapse.
+
+### The Way to Life in God’s Strength, living in the Holy Spirit
+
+We use the Letter to Andrew No. 14.
+
+The next step, which is the most important after accepting Jesus in our
+
+life, should be, if possible, the Bible study using Letter to Andrew number 14: “Living in God’s Strength – How?” (it is in this book chapter 8)
+
+In this way, the dear person can be led to an abiding life in Christ. Here, you don’t need to ask as many questions, because appropriate questions are included in the topic.
+
+It is certainly advisable to repeat Letter to Andrew No. 13 (or “The Way to Eternal Life” – more about this shortly) and Letter to Andrew No. 14 for further insights. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your next course of action.
+
+If the two steps have been taken (prayer according to chapter 7 and positive developments in life through the power of God according to chapter 8), then it is a great help if you suggest afterwards that they read the book Steps to Personal Revival and then Abide in Jesus or you could study it together. (See the book offers at the end of the book.)
+
+138 CHAPTER 7 HOW CAN WE LEAD PEOPLE TO JESUS?
+
+EXPERIENCES
+
+Test prior to publication
+
+“I asked two theologians for examination. The first answer was (in excerpt): Your work on Steps to Personal Revival is really a gift from heaven, first to you and through you then to all readers. Therefore, I first thanked my Lord, and now I thank you very much. Although there have recently been some very practical and deeply spiritual books in the church, Steps to Personal Revival is extraordinary. In such a compact and yet quite detailed way, the path to fulfillment is represented with the Holy Spirit. Anyone who reads it cannot avoid his spiritual inventory and make a decision.”
+
+Email May 1, 2012 – Both brothers recommended printing
+
+From the Ludwigsburg Church – “My husband and I were studying 40 Days No 1 and experienced great personal blessings praying together. Afterwards, we organised prayer meetings twice weekly at church in Ludwigsburg and read the book with our church members. We distinctly experienced God’s guidance and blessings and many miracles! God refreshed us and spiritually awakened our congregation: members who were never before able to speak to people, all of a sudden approached strangers. When we joined in prayer, God welded us together as a congregation. Praying for 5 people during the 40 days brought exceptional results – God worked in a mighty way on those people. Every so often people walk in to our church service on Sabbath off the street. One of those families now receives Bible studies. They learned about Sabbath through videos on the internet and through the book Great Controversy and were looking for a church for some time.” K.a.C.S. (abbreviated) Web T1
+
+Lively Intercessory Prayer – “At first, I just read through the book (40 Days No 1). Now that I go through the devotions with my prayer partner, I realize that they are even more valuable than I first thought! I got answers to questions that I could not solve by myself. I thank God also for my prayer partner who participates openly and with lots of energy. I was impressed with the book from the first pages. We should not only pray for someone, but also lovingly care about that person. This makes the Intercessory Prayer come alive. I regret that I never saw intercessory prayer in this light before. Living, lively faith! I am convinced that the intercession is just as important for the one who prays, as it is for the one being prayed for.” Web T6
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07d-experiences.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07d-experiences.md
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07d-experiences.md
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+---
+title: Experiences
+---
+
+**Test prior to publication** – “I asked two theologians for examination. The first answer was (in excerpt): Your work on Steps to Personal Revival is really a gift from heaven, first to you and through you then to all readers. Therefore, I first thanked my Lord, and now I thank you very much. Although there have recently been some very practical and deeply spiritual books in the church, Steps to Personal Revival is extraordinary. In such a compact and yet quite detailed way, the path to fulfillment is represented with the Holy Spirit. Anyone who reads it cannot avoid his spiritual inventory and make a decision.”
+
+Email May 1, 2012 – Both brothers recommended printing
+
+**From the Ludwigsburg Church** – “My husband and I were studying 40 Days No 1 and experienced great personal blessings praying together. Afterwards, we organised prayer meetings twice weekly at church in Ludwigsburg and read the book with our church members. We distinctly experienced God’s guidance and blessings and many miracles! God refreshed us and spiritually awakened our congregation: members who were never before able to speak to people, all of a sudden approached strangers. When we joined in prayer, God welded us together as a congregation. Praying for 5 people during the 40 days brought exceptional results – God worked in a mighty way on those people. Every so often people walk in to our church service on Sabbath off the street. One of those families now receives Bible studies. They learned about Sabbath through videos on the internet and through the book Great Controversy and were looking for a church for some time.” K.a.C.S. (abbreviated) Web T1
+
+**Lively Intercessory Prayer** – “At first, I just read through the book (40 Days No 1). Now that I go through the devotions with my prayer partner, I realize that they are even more valuable than I first thought! I got answers to questions that I could not solve by myself. I thank God also for my prayer partner who participates openly and with lots of energy. I was impressed with the book from the first pages. We should not only pray for someone, but also lovingly care about that person. This makes the Intercessory Prayer come alive. I regret that I never saw intercessory prayer in this light before. Living, lively faith! I am convinced that the intercession is just as important for the one who prays, as it is for the one being prayed for.” Web T6
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07e-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/07e-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. What would my answer be to the opening question if someone asked me?`
+
+`2. Why is it good to imagine yourself in the following steps of the gospel? (1. God loves me! 2. We have separated ourselves from God! 3. Jesus Christ died because of my sins!)`
+
+`3. Why do the questions (in point 4I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior) help me to discern my personal spiritual position? What does that then trigger?`
+
+`4. How can a person accept Jesus Christ in their life?`
+
+`5. What becomes new in thinking, feeling, speaking and deciding, when you surrender to Jesus?`
+
+`6. Accepting Jesus through a prayer of surrender is the first step in the right direction. (Compare with an engagement). How can this dear person get to know Jesus better? How can we help them here?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] for assurance that you are a child of God and thereby saved.
+- [ ] for discernment to see where there are obstacles in my life, which are keeping me from completely surrendering to Jesus.
+- [ ] for joy to live your life together with Christ.
+- [ ] that you can accompany people on their way to Jesus.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/info.yml b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/07-how-can-we-lead-people-to-jesus/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 7: How Can We Lead People To Jesus?"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god.md
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+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god.md
@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+---
+title: How Can We Lead People To Live In The Power Of God?
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Through reading a Bible lesson together using Letter to Andrew No. 14 – Life in the power of God – how?
+
+Here I would like to recommend that you go to the Starter-Set and read the original letter No. 14: “Life in the power of God – how?” – Please come back to this point afterwards and continue here. This will be valuable to you for your personal relationship with the Holy Spirit and will familiarize you with this valuable tool. Thank you very much for your understanding.
+
+No special explanations are necessary here, unless our companion has a question. However, we can ask questions when we think it is necessary. If someone wants to go in more depth with this important concern, then we should refer them to Steps to Personal Revival (p. 205) or study it with them.
+
+Dear Andrew! <sup>9</sup>
+
+I had to hold the funeral for a young doctor. I requested her Bible so that I could find some reference points in order to make the address more personal. I found a place, where she had written: “I want life in abundance!” She wanted exactly that which only Jesus can give us:
+
+“... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more **abundantly**.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+Jesus wants us to experience this new life now and to continue this new life when He comes again as eternal life in God’s kingdom.
+
+The challenge now is how we can have the motivation and strength for a happy and enduring relationship in a life with Jesus.
+
+A fitting comparison: A car without fuel. There are only two possibilities: to push the car or to get fuel. Only when the car has fuel, does it fulfill its purpose. **A Christian life without the power of God can be compared to a car without fuel.**
+
+Hence: How can I live in the power of God? Jesus told His disciples:
+
+“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you ...” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
+
+How does that work? Where can we find more detailed information?
+
+There is a unique passage in the Bible, where our dear Lord Jesus lovingly and strongly encourages us to ask for the Holy Spirit. Here is the text – Luke 11:9-13:
+
+“So I say to you, **ask**, and it will be given to you; **seek**, and you will find; **knock**, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who **asks** receives, and he who **seeks** finds, and to him who **knocks** it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he **asks** for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he **asks** for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who **ask** Him!”
+
+Do you notice something? Jesus used the verb “ask” six times in this passage; then He substitutes the word “ask” two times and reinforces it with the word “seek” – an active verb – and then two more times with the verb “knock” – also an active verb. Doesn’t this distinctly show us that we should take action? The last “ask” is in the continuous tense in Greek. This means that we shouldn’t just ask one time, but rather continuously ask. Not only does Jesus emphasize the urgency of asking, but also expects us to continuously practice it. This shows us that Jesus is convicted that we are missing something crucial. He is clearly calling our attention to the fact that we need the Holy Spirit and we are dependent on Him.
+
+Jesus shows us in a masterly manner – by frequently repeating the verbs and making comparisons – our greatest need: we should continuously ask for the Holy Spirit. This is exceptional. It has to do with God’s supreme gift – the gift which brings all the other gifts in its train. This is the crowning gift that Jesus gave His disciples and plain proof of His love.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Every day will be an adventure for us, when we are acquainted with the reality of a life filled with the Holy Spirit and we constantly commit ourselves to His leadership.
+
+#### The Bible speaks about three different groups of people in relation to their relationship to God:
+
+Ask yourself: Which group do I belong to? And – what group do I want to belong to?
+
+**A. The natural person**
+
+This is a person, who hasn’t accepted Christ yet.
+
+“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![A life ruled by the ego](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content-08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/image1.png)
+
+E = Ego, limited self on the throne
+
+† = Christ outside of their life
+
+• = Areas of life, which are controlled by the ego and often lead to discord and disappointment
+
+**B. The spiritual Person**
+
+This is a person, who has accepted Christ and is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
+
+“But he who is spiritual judges all things ...” (1 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![A life led by Christ](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content-08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/image2.png)
+
+† = Christ is on the throne of life
+
+E = The ego is dethroned
+
+• = Areas of life, which are under the leadership of the unlimited God and growing in harmony with God’s plan
+
+**C. The carnal Person**
+
+This is a person, who has accepted Christ, but often experiences defeats, because he tries to live a Christian life in his own strength instead of in the power of the Holy Spirit.
+
+“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NKJV)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![A life controlled by the ego](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content-08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/image3.png)
+
+E = Ego, limited self on the throne
+
+† = Christ in their life, but not on the throne
+
+• = Areas of life, which are controlled by the ego and often lead to discord and disappointment.
+
+We want to look at this important matter in four steps. We will look more closely at the situation of the spiritual and carnal people.
+
+### 1. God wants us to have a fulfilled and fruitful life.
+
+Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+“I am the vine, you are the branches. **He who abides in Me, and I in him**, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV)
+
+“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)
+
+“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![The spiritual Person](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content-08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/image2.png)
+
+Some traits that are characteristic of a life with God:
+
+- Christ is the focal point
+- Authority through the Holy Spirit
+- An effective prayer life
+- Understanding of God’s word
+- Trust in God
+- Obedience to God
+- Lead other people to Christ
+
+_Love | Joy | Peace | Longsuffering | Kindness | Goodness | Faithfulness Gentleness | Self-Control_
+
+The effects of these traits in our life depend on our maturity in Christ, on the degree of our connection with Him and also if we completely trust Him with all areas of our life.
+
+Someone, who is just starting to understand the work of the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t become discouraged when they don’t bear as much fruit as a mature Christian, who has long been acquainted with this truth.
+
+**Why do most Christians not experience this fulfilled life?**
+
+### 2. Who cannot experience the fulfilled and fruitful Christian life?
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![The carnal man](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content-08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/image3.png)
+
+Some or all of the following traits characterize carnal Christians, who do not completely trust God.
+
+- Ignorance about His spiritual possessions
+- Unbelief
+- Disobedience
+- Insufficient love for God and others
+- Insufficient prayer life
+- Insufficient interest in the Bible
+
+_Impure thoughts | Jealousy | Guilt | Unnecessary worries | Discouragement | Critical attitude | Despair | Aimlessness | Legality (the idea that they have to earn something from God)_
+
+(Someone, who thinks they are a real Christian, but consistently sins, should examine themselves according to 1 John 2:3, 3:6, 3:9 and Ephesians 5:5 to see if they really are a Christian.)
+
+**The third point shows us the sole solution to this problem ...**
+
+### 3. Jesus has promised us a fulfilled and fruitful life.
+
+It is the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit, as well as the guidance and authority that the Holy Spirit gives us.
+
+A life filled with the Spirit is a life in which Christ has the leadership. Christ lives His life in us and works in us and through us by the continuous power of the Holy Spirit. (John 15)
+
+**A.** According to John 3:1-8, a person becomes a Christian through the working of the Holy Spirit. At the moment of our spiritual birth, we receive a new life through Christ.
+
+It tells us in John 14:17 that the Holy Spirit stays by and in us.
+
+We should bear in mind:
+
+We received our natural life at birth. It was given to us with the intent that it is preserved for our lifetime. From the outside, it is preserved by air, water, food, etc. It is exactly the same in the spiritual world as in the natural world. We receive our spiritual life – the Bible calls it “being born again” (John 3:3), when we completely surrender to Christ and attest to this through the biblical baptism in due time (Acts 2:38; John 1:12; John 14:16-17). So that this spiritual life can be preserved, it needs a life with the Holy Spirit, prayer, God’s word, etc.
+
+**B.** The Holy Spirit is the source of a fulfilled life (John 7:37-39).
+
+**C.** The Holy Spirit came to exalt Christ. (John 16:1-15) When someone is
+
+filled with the Holy Spirit, then they are a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
+
+**D.** Christ promised us the power of the Holy Spirit in His last words before He ascended into heaven, so that we will be empowered to be His disciples and witnesses (Acts 1:1-9).
+
+**How can a person be filled with the Holy Spirit?**
+
+### 4. We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith.
+
+**Then we can experience the overflowing and fruitful life, which Christ promised us.**
+
+We cannot earn God’s abundance – it is a gift. We receive it through faith – by trusting God.
+
+You can experience being filled with the Holy Spirit now, when you:
+
+**A.** Have a genuine desire to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-39).
+
+**B.** Pray by faith to be filled with the Holy Spirit, in other words, trusting that Jesus Christ will answer your prayer.
+
+Jesus said:
+
+“‘He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit ...” (John 7:38-39 NKJV)
+
+“... that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14 NKJV)
+
+God has made it easy for us to trust Him by giving us concrete promises. He says in 1 John 5:14 NKJV: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
+
+Those, who pray according to God’s will – the next verse says:
+
+“And if we know [at the moment] that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:15 NKJV)
+
+Another translation (NIV) says:
+
+“And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” This means that prayers according to God’s will are answered immediately, when we bring them before God, even though we often don’t feel anything. Feelings can appear later.
+
+**Example**:
+
+Someone prays to be freed from tobacco. His prayer is answered by faith at the moment he utters his request. A few hours later, he notices that he no longer craves tobacco. (Further details in the Letter to Andrew No. 5 on “Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol”. Look at www.steps-to-personalrevival.info – Letters to Andrew) Praying with promises is also explained in detail in Steps to Personal Revival, Chapter 5 – look at the same website).
+
+Jesus says in Mark 11:24 NKJV: “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you [actually] receive them, and you will have them.”
+
+**C.** God has given us a promise in Luke 11:9-13 for receiving the Holy Spirit. We already took a look at it at the beginning of this letter, hence only verse 13 (NKJV): “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
+
+#### How to pray by faith to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+A prayer using promises strengthens our trust in it being granted and at the same time, it is an opportunity to express our faith. Following is a suggested prayer:
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “Father in heaven, I come in the name of Jesus to you. I cannot follow you in my own power. You know my failed attempts. I sincerely ask You to give me the strength to live according to Your will. You commanded me: “Be filled with the Spirit!” (Ephesians 5:18 NKJV) I am willing to be filled. I ask you to please make this reality now, because You have promised that You want to give us the Holy Spirit more than earthly fathers want to give their children good things (Luke 11:13). I want to thank You that you have already filled me, because You have promised that when I pray according to Your will, then I can know that I already have what I asked for (1 John 5:14-15). Please lead me and use me today according to Your will. AMEN.”
+
+Does this prayer correspond with your desires? If yes, then make this your prayer now. I recommend that you pray this prayer aloud and trust that God has filled you now with His Holy Spirit.
+
+#### Assurance that you are filled with the Holy Spirit
+
+Have you asked God to fill you with His Holy Spirit? On the basis of what authority can you know if you have been filled with the Holy Spirit? (Because God and His word are trustworthy: Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:22-23.)
+
+Feelings are not crucial. God’s promises in His word are vital – not our feelings. A Christian lives by faith, meaning by trusting the reliability of God and His word.
+
+The following illustration should show the relationship between facts (God and His word), faith (our trust in God and His word) and feelings (result of faith and obedience) (John 14:21).
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Facts, Faith, and Feelings](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content-08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/image4.png)
+
+The train can travel with or without wagons. It would be futile for the wagons to pull the locomotive. Likewise, Christians are not dependent on their moods and emotions, rather they put their trust (our faith) in the reliability of God and the promises in His word.
+
+#### How to live in the Holy Spirit
+
+A Christian can only have a life filled with the Holy Spirit by faith (trust in God and His promises). In so doing, we should pay attention to what 2 Corinthians 4:16 says:
+
+“... yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (NKJV)
+
+That is why it is advisable that we dedicate our lives to God every morning and by faith ask Him – preferably with a promise – to be renewed with the Holy Spirit. When you live day by day with trust in Christ, then the following will happen:
+
+**A.** Your life will yield more and more fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22); your character will become increasingly similar to Christ’s (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
+
+**B.** Your prayer life and reading God’s word will become more meaningful.
+
+**C.** You will experience His strength to resist temptations and sin.
+
+God’s word says:
+
+“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able ...” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV)
+
+“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
+
+“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10 NKJV)
+
+“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)
+
+“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit [the Holy Spirit] of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 NKJV)
+
+“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18 NKJV)
+
+**D.** You will experience God’s support when you witness (Acts 1:8).
+
+**E.** What should I do about sin?
+
+You can by faith continually experience God’s love and forgiveness. When it becomes clear to you that God doesn’t approve of something (an attitude or deed) in your life, although you live with Him and earnestly want to follow Him, then confess your sin, for example, a wrong, irreconcilability, etc. Then thank Him that He has forgiven your sins because Christ died on the cross. Accept His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to live in fellowship with Him.
+
+When you sin – an act of disobedience – there is a disruption in your relationship with God, then you need to do the following:
+
+**1. Confession**
+
+Confess your sin by name, agree with God in regards to His judgement of your sin and thank Him for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:125). Confession includes repentance – a change of attitude or deed.
+
+**2. Asking**
+
+Ask again by faith for the Holy Spirit. Trust that He will continue to lead you as He promised in Luke 11:13 and in 1 John 5:14-15.
+
+**When these explanations have been of help, then please pass on a copy or read it to someone. May you have great joy in your new life in God’s power.**
+
+Best wishes and blessings,
+
+_Helmut and my friend Kurt (Helmut Haubeil and Kurt Hasel)_
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>9</sup> The name was selected to remind us of the biblical Andrew, who led his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:40-42).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/08-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/08-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/08-how-can-we-lead-people-to-live-in-the-power-of-god/08-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. Why can a Christian’s life without God’s power be compared to a car without fuel?`
+
+`2. What loving invitation did Jesus give us, so that we will be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit? What should we do? (The last “ask” in Luke 11:13 is in the continuous tense in Greek: that means continuously asking, asking daily)`
+
+`3. What three different groups of people are there in terms of their relationship to God? To which group do you belong?`
+
+`4. How can a person be filled with the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`5. God’s word says: “... the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV) What happens when we daily ask for the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`6. How can you lead people to a life filled with God’s strength?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that you will live in God’s strength and for wisdom to encourage others to do the same.
+- [ ] that the characteristics of a spiritual person will grow in you.
+- [ ] that you will understand what it means to live in the Holy Spirit and that you will be able to convey this the right way to others.
\ No newline at end of file
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 8: How Can We Lead People To Live In The Power Of God?"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/09-practical-aids-to-help-lead-dear-people-to-jesus/09a-practical-aids-to-help-lead-dear-people-to-jesus.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/09-practical-aids-to-help-lead-dear-people-to-jesus/09a-practical-aids-to-help-lead-dear-people-to-jesus.md
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+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/09-practical-aids-to-help-lead-dear-people-to-jesus/09a-practical-aids-to-help-lead-dear-people-to-jesus.md
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+---
+title: Practical Aids To Help Lead Dear People To Jesus
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> The Letters to Andrew (LA) to lead people to Jesus Video Series for teaching faith How can I find the true church by myself?
+
+“Every soul whom Christ has rescued is called to work in His name for the saving of the lost. ... Each has his part to act ... Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church, so that everyone shall be working for Him according to his ability.” (Christian Service, p. 10.6, 11.6, 11.7) The God of love has planned in His wisdom to make the lost into candidates for heaven and thereby foster the growth and joy of His Spirit-filled coworkers. Don’t we want to show these dear people the way to heaven?
+
+#### Letters To Andrew (LA) To Lead People To Jesus
+
+These have arisen about 30 years of my service to meet current needs – taken from practice for use in practice. Therefore, I can heartily recommend them for our mission contacts. LA 13 “Seize Life” and LA 14 “Life in the power of God – How?” were in worldwide use under other names before we incorporated them. I gained a lot of experience with them. I don't want to do without them anymore.
+
+A reader’s letter:
+
+“Now, I also share the Letters to Andrew in audio book form. They are well received. That is why I have once again ordered 30 copies. The Letters to Andrew help me personally to understand the Bible better. Since I have only been studying God’s word for a year, I am all the more thankful for every insight from God’s word.
+
+Recently, I received a call from a friend, who had just received the Letters to Andrew audio book CD. He told me that He was so touched by God’s word that He now wanted to change his way of life. He also wants to visit the church on Sabbath. My husband has also listened to this CD and said: I am thrilled with these letters – from the first to the last.” (R. A. # 159)
+
+**These topics are very suitable for establishing contacts**, for example, when we want to build a relationship with five people in order to help them on their journey to God’s kingdom. The Letters to Andrew can be used in multiple ways. We can use them as Bible studies to read, we can give them as a present to people to read themselves. In German we can share them as MP3 or CD audio to listen to together or to listen to while driving or doing routine work.
+
+**Why did I call them** Letters to Andrew? Why are they in letter form with the salutation “Dear Andrew<sup>a</sup>”? The endnote <sup>a</sup> explains at the bottom of the first page of every letter: “Andrew after the biblical Andrew in John 1:40-42.” The reason – Andrew led his brother Peter to Jesus.
+
+These short writings should help lead people to Jesus. Advertising experts emphasize that letters are well received. They allow addressing people informally and the recipient feels personally spoken to.
+
+**German**: 17 topics are available in three different forms: as individual letters, as a book Experience God through the Letters to Andrew, as well as MP3 and CD audiobooks. They are also available for free for computers, tablets and smartphones at www.schritte-zur-persönlichen-erweckung.info – Andreasbriefe. I hope that similar initiatives will be started in other languages.
+
+**English**: What is available? The letters, which are mentioned in this book, are already translated in English. Please go to www.steps-to-personalrevival.info – Letters to Andrew.
+
+The individual letters or the whole Starter-Set can also be downloaded for free or sent to others.
+
+Appendix D contains brief descriptions of the contents of all 17 letters. This gives you a quick overview.
+
+#### How should we start with our personal contacts?
+
+**LA 4 – Pascal’s Bet: Does God exist or not? What are the chances?**
+
+It is good to use this letter for the initial contact. The topic shows from an unusual angle that the Christian faith is desirable for everyone. Of all the letters, this Letter to Andrew is viewed in the internet the most often. We give a short description of the content here for your information: Generally, this bet is known as “Pascal’s bet”. Blaise Pascal came to the conclusion that every sensible person had to decide for Jesus Christ even if the chances of the accuracy of the Christian teachings lay at only 50:50. Dr. Viggo Olson, a well-known surgeon and a determined opponent of faith, encountered Blaise Pascal’s statements. He and his wife fought tooth and nail against the Christian faith. But after intensive studies he became a staunch Christian. Every person has to make a decision. A person has to build their life either on the assumption that the Christian teachings are true or on the assumption that they are false. Whoever doesn’t enter this bet, automatically places a bet on the possibility that the Christian teachings are false.
+
+I would recommend LA 1 next:
+
+**LA 1 – The Christian Faith put to the test**
+
+Everything hinges on honestly answering three questions. I have taken this path hundreds of times and have repeatedly experienced positive reactions and amazement.
+
+1. Does a living, all-knowing and all-powerful God exist, who loves humans?
+2. Is Jesus of Nazareth really the redeemer sent by God?
+3. Was the Bible or the Holy Scriptures really written by people under God’s authority or is it merely a human product?
+
+There are very satisfactory answers to these fundamental questions. See for yourself. Perhaps you weren’t familiar with this introduction until now. Since number 1 only covers one prophecy, I always added LA 8 or went through it next. Three additional prophecies are covered in LA 8. In this way, we can lead people to strong trust at the beginning or encourage their existing trust in God, Jesus and the Bible.
+
+**LA 8 – Prophecies about Jesus Christ**
+
+Probability of Fulfillment 1:10<sup>17</sup>
+
+This Letter to Andrew especially strengthens trust in Jesus of Nazareth being the divine Redeemer and the Bible being inspired by God. Different prophecies and fulfillments about Jesus’ life are compared. Eight details show why the fulfillment of these prophecies is impossible from a human standpoint.
+
+Now is a good opportunity to introduce Jesus.
+
+**LA 2 – Unique and beyond comparison: Jesus of Nazareth**
+
+The greatest character in the history of the world – unique and beyond comparison. What impact did Jesus’ life have? Why is Jesus so unique? Why did His life leave such a lasting impression, like no other biography? Who did Jesus say that He was? What did eyewitnesses say, what does history say? What did genuine doubters discover when they examined the facts?
+
+Now surely our friend is open to learn about the Bible and the plan of salvation.
+
+**LA 3 – What is the Bible’s main objective?**
+
+God’s plan of redemption is portrayed in a short and spirited manner in this Letter to Andrew. What must one do to receive fullness of life and eternal life? Large surveys showed that 98 % of people questioned, had a false perception of what the main focus of the Bible was. This letter clearly shows that redemption is a gift of God and cannot and doesn’t need to be earned. It is awesome when this truth becomes clear to someone!
+
+The most important topic in this series for the beginning phase is:
+
+**LA 13 – Seize Life through a Personal Relationship with God**
+
+Assuming – You would die today (heart attack or accident). Do you have the assurance now of eternal life with Jesus Christ? Don’t remain in the dark! Five facts will help you find an answer. Whoever searches for a relationship with God, will make the discovery of a lifetime!
+
+Please recall that Chapter 7 is a practical guide for using LA 13 “Seize Life”.
+
+Since a lot depends on this, it is important that we especially take time for this. Two things are very important: That we have read the letter through multiple times and that we have prayed earnestly for and continue to pray for all those acquaintances, whom we want to show the way to Jesus.
+
+The letter can be given to a person to read, but it is decidedly more profound and helpful and definitely more expedient to read it together, so that we can personally accompany them on their journey to Christ. I recommend using this letter in the beginning phase of contact and to pray about when to hand over the booklet or when to read the Bible study together, because it is so helpful when a person finds Jesus. We do not have the task of pressuring them to surrender, rather to help them in the process.
+
+If at the first attempt our friend is not ready for the prayer of surrender, then we should after a short time and personal prayer, offer it again with Z1 The Way to Eternal Life, which leads to the same goal with slightly other words and thoughts.
+
+Abide in Jesus, Chapter 2: Surrender to Jesus, is recommended for the helper and possibly also for the friend for more in-depth information on the subject..
+
+It is infinitely valuable to learn how we can live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore:
+
+**LA 14 – Life in God’s Strength – How?**
+
+“... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV) Jesus wants us to experience this new life now and to continue it after His second coming as eternal life in God’s kingdom. This Letter to Andrew is about how we can have motivation and strength for a happy and consistent relationship to a life with Jesus.
+
+**LA 5 – Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol**
+
+We use this great experience only when there is a bondage through addictions and also when we want to teach praying with promises.
+
+A 39-year-old truck driver wanted to kick the smoking habit. He smoked 60-70 cigarettes every day, and nothing he had tried had worked. So I asked him: “Would you like to know how, with the help of God, you can get free from smoking, immediately, and with no withdrawal symptoms?“ Yes, indeed. He wanted to know. I explained to him that I could not help him, I could only show him the way to God; the One who is more than willing and able to help. Adolf accepted God’s offer and was immediately and completely delivered. 14 days later, he prayed that God would also free him from drinking beer – 10-14 bottles per day. God liberated him from that addiction as well, and Adolf’s doctor was amazed at the sudden improvement in his health. One year later, with the money he had saved, Adolf even took a vacation in the USA with his wife and daughters.
+
+### Starter-set – Letters To Andrew To Lead People To Jesus
+
+We have added a Starter-Set Letters to Andrew to this book. Why the term Starter-Set? From the 17 Letters to Andrew those that can be used to start a relationship have been selected. These letters are a bridge from theory to practice. Please remember the 12 advantages of a booklet, which are mentioned at the beginning of chapter 7. The envelope contains one copy of all required letters. There are eight letters Nr. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 14 and Z 1. The illustrated design and the appealing content will please you. You will be happy to pass them on. You need a set for every person you want to lead to Jesus. The envelope is intended for notes: when did I give which number and other remarks. The order address for further Starter-Sets is mentioned on page 202. – The letters can also be downloaded for free at www.steps-to-personal-revival.info: Letters to Andrew, or be sent to someone. All 17 Letters to Andrew are in English and will be available at the end of 2020. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
+
+### Discipleship-Studies
+
+If Jesus is accepted (LA13) it is important to deepen this relationship. For this purpose, you can use the exceptional book Steps to Christ (It is available with several different titles) from E.G. White. It has two main sections: How do I come to Christ? How do I abide in Christ? It is available in any language (it has been translated in 150 languages).
+
+If the life in the Holy Spirit has begun, then it is also important to deepen this relationship. This is best done by studying the Steps to Personal Revival brochure. (see Book Offers p. 203)
+
+After these discipleship studies, you can choose appropriate items from the following letters to Andrew. It is also good to move on to a normal Bible study series or to watch an evangelistic series on video in which the essential Bible truths are covered. (more in Appendix F)
+
+**What is the content of the remaining nine Letters to Andrew?**
+
+The remaining Letters to Andrew can now also be used at your discretion. Please look at Appendix D on p. 193 at the end of the book. This contains brief descriptions of the content of each letter, so you can orientate yourself quickly.
+
+**LA 6 – How do you know what the future holds?** (Daniel 2)
+
+**LA 7 – Prevention or healing?** (Introduction to the health message)
+
+**LA 9 – Prophecies about four cities** (Strengthen faith in the Bible)
+
+**LA 10 – Jesus and the Sabbath** (This is my first Bible study on the Sabbath. It isn’t confrontational, it reduces prejudices and builds the beginning of trust in the Sabbath.)
+
+LA 11 – What did Jesus say about Jerusalem, His second coming and the **end of the world?** (What can we learn from the “mini-judgement” which took place in 70 A.D.?)
+
+**LA 12 – Signs of the return of Jesus** (Are we facing the big turning point or – ... the end?)
+
+**LA 15 – Benefit from reading the Bible – How?** (Let us look at a path that many have enjoyed while reading the Bible.)
+
+**LA 16 – How can I experience God’s love and forgiveness?** (God doesn’t want me to bear any burden from the past, not to worry about the future and to live in friendship with Him today and be armed with His power.)
+
+**LA 17 – Do you have something against someone?** (How can I forgive and forget? Forgiveness frees both parties)
+
+May I recommend that you familiarize yourself well with the Letters to Andrew in question so that you can pass them on with joy and conviction.
+
+**Bible Class**
+
+If your church has a **Bible class for interested individuals or newly baptized people**, then the Bible studies can take place there or can be in addition to a weekly Bible study. It focuses on questions about a personal relationship with God and discipleship, as well as the basic truths. This class, which is called the pastor’s Bible class in many countries, is a great help. I held such a class in all of my churches. We should then talk about baptism after this class and help our friend surrender themselves to Jesus through baptism and join His church as a living member. (More in chapter 10)
+
+### Videos For Teaching Faith
+
+Today we have really good tools to instruct and to develop faith in God and His Word, if no teacher is available. To teach the gospel, please look for evangelistic series that contain all important Bible truths. The series with 20-30 presentations are best. In Appendix F you will find short descriptions of 15 websites and what you can find there. These pages are valuable for children, youth, truth seekers and longtime believers. Also mentioned is the website from the GC Total Member Involvement. This contains tips for Evangelism, Literature Distribution and diverse series on Health and Wellness, Diabetes, Depression Recovery and a Cooking School. In appendix F you find a treasure chest of valuable websites.
+
+At www.steps-to-personal-revival.info you can find:
+
+– 7 Video sermons Steps to Personal Revival by Helmut Haubeil
+– Audiobook Steps to Personal Revival, Speaker: Mike Fenton
+– 3 Video sermons How to be baptized with the Holy Spirit by Dwight Nelson
+
+**Making Friends for God: The Joy of Sharing in His Mission** (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide – Standard Edition 3rd Quarter 2020)
+
+The principal author, Mark Finley, says in the introduction:
+
+“One of my friends expressed this thought, ‘Mission is primarily the work of God. He is employing all of the resources of heaven to save our planet. Our work is to cooperate joyfully with Him in His work of saving lost people.’ It seemed as if a heavy burden was lifted off my shoulders.” That is what this book is about. I would suggest: Keep this Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for the 3rd quarter so that you can look up certain details as needed. Keep it together with this book.
+
+### How Can I Find The True Church By Myself?
+
+Finding the true church is a fascinating Bible study for candidates for the kingdom and also for church members.
+
+Is there actually still a true church today? Since Jesus spoke of it as His church, I would prefer calling it the church of Jesus Christ. “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it [My church].” (Matthew 16:18 NKJV) Jesus’s words show us that His church still exists. Therefore, we can search for it and find it.
+
+An experience to illustrate: Three sisters, who each belonged to a different church, asked a pastor: “Which church is the right one?” He asked them three questions, which they answered in the affirmative. After that he told them how they could resolve the problem for themselves with a relatively short Bible study. They completed this Bible study and then they all joined the same church.
+
+Why should a person discover this themselves? Can’t you just ask an expert? Or ask individual churches and groups? Naturally. But almost all of them claim to be the true church, although they generally have very different teachings. So, in this way we won’t accomplish anything. It would be best to follow the example of the inhabitants of Berea (Greece). The Bible refers to their attitude as noble:
+
+“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11 NIV)
+
+This is good advice! Back then the people in Berea eagerly listened to Paul’s preaching. But they daily searched in the Bible themselves, to see if it was true. That is why I recommend also doing this when confronted with the question about the right church of Jesus. A short Bible study is a good method to use.
+
+But first, let’s take a look at the three questions that the pastor asked. These questions are an important prerequisite for a successful study of this question.
+
+**1. Do you believe that Jesus Christ taught the truth and practiced it in His life?**
+
+Jesus said:
+
+“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 NKJV) “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you ...” (Matthew 28:20 NKJV)
+
+Peter said:
+
+“Jesus committed no sin; He died for our sins. ” (1 Peter 2:22-24)
+
+“... Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should
+
+follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV)
+
+We should and want to follow His example in all things. That is why
+
+John said:
+
+“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:6 NKJV)
+
+I believe that Jesus taught and revealed divine truth and that His whole life was an example for us. Every true Christian believes this. This is the first requirement for our purpose. Do you believe this too?
+
+**2. Do you believe that the true church of Jesus has to concur with the teachings and example of Jesus?**
+
+Does the church of Jesus today – after almost 2,000 years – still have to concur with Jesus? Wasn’t there any ongoing development? What did Jesus Himself say?
+
+Jesus said:
+
+“... the Scripture cannot be broken.” (John 10:35 NKJV)
+
+Here, Jesus referred to the Old Testament. Naturally, this applies to
+
+the whole Bible including the New Testament. According to Jesus the Scripture cannot be “broken”. When you break something, then you have multiple pieces. Jesus is conveying here that we cannot at will accept one part and reject another part. John said in complete agreement with Jesus: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9 NKJV) This is a clear denial of any ongoing development of Biblical teachings. What God has revealed through His Son (Hebrews 1:1) cannot, may not and doesn’t need to be improved by humans.
+
+The apostle Paul said: “But even if we [the apostles], or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9)
+
+Even the apostles or the angels don’t have the right to change the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, no one else may either. Thus, we have established: The church of Jesus today has to concur with Jesus Christ and His word.
+
+Do you believe this as well?
+
+**3. Are you ready to join the church of Jesus now when you find it?**
+
+Why is this willingness important now before the study begins? Jesus said:
+
+“If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God ...” (John 7:17 NKJV)
+
+Jesus was saying: Whoever wants to do God’s will, will also discern it. God will help those, who have a sincere desire to know and do God’s will, to know the truth and thus also know the church of Jesus. A divine promise says: “He [God] holds success in store for the upright ...” (Proverbs 2:7 NIV) – God has promised the Holy Spirit’s help to those, who are obedient to Him (Acts 5:32). He has promised to guide us into all truth (John 14:26 and John 16:13). Most certainly, this includes the truth about His church. A wonderful book about Jesus’ life says: “To those who thus yield themselves to God, having an honest desire to know and to do His will, the truth is revealed as the power of God for their salvation.” (E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 455.3) Are you ready to join the church of Jesus when you have found it?
+
+#### Now, how can I find out for myself, what the true church of Jesus is?
+
+There is a simple way. Study the gospel of Matthew. It has about 40 pages. It doesn’t contain all of the teachings of Jesus, but does include most of them. You might like to underline/highlight the verses about His teachings, His example and what is said about Him. I did the study as follows:
+
+I used a notebook with margins on both sides of the page and divided it as follows:
+
+I wrote the chapter and verse in the left margin.
+
+I wrote in the left half of the main column the sentence or part of a sentence directly from the Bible, which contained a teaching or exemplary behavior of Jesus.
+
+I wrote in the right half of the main column what teaching this sentence contained.
+
+In the right margin, I made columns for each of the churches, which I wanted to examine (for example a column for the Catholic Church, Evangelical Church, Adventist Church and the Baptist Church).
+
+165
+
+I made a plus mark in each church’s column that supported that particular teaching.
+
+In the end, the church, which had a plus mark for every teaching, concurs with Jesus’ teachings. This is the church of Jesus, which I want to join.
+
+| Bible Passage | Bible Text | Teaching | Catholic church | Evangelical church | SDA church | Baptist church |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| Matthew 1:1 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. | This is history and not a myth or legend. | + | + | + | + |
+| Matthew 1:18 | Mary was found with child of the Holy Spirit. | Miracle of a birth from a virgin | + | | + | + |
+
+I have often used a chapter or portion of a chapter in Matthew in Bible studies or as an additional study half an hour before the Bible study. The interest in this study was always very high. A man once said to me: “By the time I was in chapter four, I realized that I wasn’t in the right church.” You will find that you will only discover a portion of the truth the first time you do this study – as will your friends. But that doesn’t matter. Each time I did this study I discovered more and more truths. This study is a great help for truth seekers in making a decision for the church of Jesus.
+
+May our marvelous God richly bless you in your ministry.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/09-practical-aids-to-help-lead-dear-people-to-jesus/09b-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/09-practical-aids-to-help-lead-dear-people-to-jesus/09b-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. What practical resources are there to help bring people closer to Jesus?`
+
+`2. How can you proceed with a personal contact in order to arouse their interest in Jesus?`
+
+`3. What questions can you use to get people to think about whether they have a relationship with Christ or want to deepen their relationship with Him?`
+
+`4. What questions can you ask people, who are looking for the true church?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] for wisdom to know what to say or to give other people so that their hearts are open for God’s message.
+- [ ] for the right preparation for missionary work.
+- [ ] for the love for others, which is necessary to reach their hearts. 4. ... for experiences with God in working for others.
\ No newline at end of file
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 9: Practical Aids To Help Lead Dear People To Jesus"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guides
+---
+
+`1. What three steps are vital for a spiritual new start?`
+
+`2. Write down the names of five people, who you want to particularly pray for.`
+
+`3. Prayerfully consider what possibilities you have for conducting Bible studies/ care groups and/or evangelistic meetings.`
+
+`4. What experiences have other people/groups had? Look more closely at these experiences.`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic with them.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] for a new spiritual start – personally and in your church.
+- [ ] for the five people you wrote down.
+- [ ] to discern what possibilities you have personally and as a group/church to work for and with God.
+- [ ] for experiences, where God has guided your work.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10a-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10a-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps.md
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+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10a-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps.md
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+---
+title: New Spiritual–Missionary Start In Three Steps
+---
+
+**How can individuals and groups, churches and conferences experience this?**
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “My Spirit will accomplish it!”
+
+“What you are planning will neither succeed by the might of an army nor by human strength; rather, my Spirit will accomplish it! I, the Lord God Almighty, promise this.” (Zechariah 4:6 translated from the German “Hoffnung fuer Alle” version)
+
+I am very thankful that our Lord has revealed this concept to us through many small practical experiences. No one planned anything in this direction.
+
+We will begin with an exemplary experience.
+
+#### Experience from a church in Decatur, Alabama, USA:
+
+“In April 2019 God led this church to concentrate on prayer and surrender to Jesus just before an evangelistic series. This was done with the intention of attaining greater success in their missionary endeavors.
+
+... Our church’s orientation was adapted after Pastor Robert Meneses visited his family in Portugal at the beginning of the year. While there, his aunt gave him a small book in English and Portuguese with the title Steps to Personal Revival by Helmut Haubeil. At the same time, his wife, Elida, who is the church’s prayer coordinator, read in Ministry (international pastoral magazine) the testimony of a pastor about his experience with this book. After she read the book for herself, she was impressed that the church should read it as well. So, she took the book with her to the Sabbath morning prayer group, but amazingly enough another church member shared that a friend had given her a positive review of the same book.
+
+During their preparation for the evangelistic series, the church assumed several new activities. They started to pray together every Sabbath morning at the church for 30 minutes. They also shared pointers in the church bulletin to promote prayer, revival and the work of the Holy Spirit. They held a video-seminar about the Holy Spirit in the church on two consecutive Sabbath evenings. After the seminar, copies of the book Steps to Personal Revival were distributed and the members were requested to read it during the next six weeks.
+
+After that, they participated in the ‘Ten Days of Prayer’ initiative from the General Conference. The church members used this time to meet at church and pray for revival and the Holy Spirit. On the following Sabbath they had a special ‘praise and prayer’ church service.
+
+Brian Danese, leader of church planting in the Gulf States Conference, came and held a weekend seminar. Next, the church started to study the 40-Days book: Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming in groups of two. On Sabbath morning short video clips from Dennis Smith, the author of the 40-Days books, were shown during the announcement time.
+
+They followed the suggestion in the book that each person should pray for five unreached people. Then they got in touch with these acquaintances or former church members. A good number of the baptisms came from this group, which the church members had chosen to personally pray and care for.
+
+Addendum: ‘We don’t know exactly how many church members participated. But think about it – when ten church members would each pray for and maintain contact with five people, that would be 50 people; 50 church members would then have 250 people. This creates a valuable circle of interested people for evangelistic series or care groups.’
+
+When the evangelistic series started in April, the church experienced a revival and a deeper relationship with Jesus. During the lectures from Robert Meneses, the church members were able to deepen their relationships with the guests and the Holy Spirit worked on their hearts. After the lecture series, ten dear people gave their lives to Jesus through baptism and later on five more people. The church regards these results as a testimony to the power of prayer.”
+
+(Adapted from the report by Elida Meneses, Southern Tidings, Sept. 2019, p. 20 – Southern Union Conference, USA EE EPM171119 #146)
+
+This spiritual-missionary method works to win souls by God’s grace in the whole world, also in secular countries, because the power of the Holy Spirit isn’t limited. In countries that are more open, it is a great help to strengthen a new life and also for a joyful new beginning for inactive church members. In Burundi altogether 320 former church members returned because of the influence of the book Steps to Personal Revival. They were rebaptized into the church in March 2017.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10b-three-steps-to-a-new-start.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10b-three-steps-to-a-new-start.md
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/10-new-spiritual-missionary-start-in-three-steps/10b-three-steps-to-a-new-start.md
@@ -0,0 +1,240 @@
+---
+title: Three Steps To A New Start
+---
+
+This church undertook the following three steps:
+
+**Step 1: New Start – Fostering the spiritual life**
+
+New spiritual start through intensive reading of the book Steps to Personal Revival.
+
+**Step 2: Fostering Relationships – Internally and Externally**
+
+They studied the book 40-Days Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming by Dennis Smith to strengthen their spiritual life. Started intercessory prayer and reaching out to five unreached people.
+
+**Step 3: Sharing the Gospel**
+
+In this case, they held public meetings. But this can also take place in personal Bible studies or in small groups in homes personally or by video.
+
+**A closer look at the three steps**
+
+Now, we want to take a closer look at these three steps so that we can practically implement them.
+
+### Step 1: New Start – Fostering The Spiritual Life
+
+Foster your spiritual life – return to your first love – with the help of the book Steps to Personal Revival. (The book is available in more than 40 languages.) More than 500 testimonials show that:
+- The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift that Jesus has to offer us.
+- This book opens our eyes and helps us make a correct self-evaluation of our spiritual condition.
+- It helps us better understand the two basic steps, which make our spiritual life attractive and give us assurance of salvation.
+- We experience that praying with promises gives our prayers a whole new quality. We pray with greater joy, confidence and depth. By praying with promises, many have received the assurance of receiving the Holy Spirit.
+- In their great joy, they became witnesses and shared books and as a result their joy increased even more.
+
+There are more than 160 experiences in English and German at: www.steps-to-personal.revival.info
+
+The newest edition of this book is divided into 14 parts. You can either read the book spread out over six weeks or read it three times during this time for the greatest benefit. Great experiences are normally only achieved after multiple readings and practicing what is read. Educational research has shown that it is necessary to read or hear a vital topic six to ten times before a person thoroughly understands it. Try it out at least once. Almost all the good experiences are from people, who have grappled with the topic multiple times and with their whole heart. People in a hurry don’t profit anything.
+
+It is a good opportunity to study the 10 Days of Prayer 2021 readings before or after studying Steps to Personal Revival.
+
+In the announcement of the 10 Days of Prayer (ANN: Oct. 24, 2020) the General Conference (GC) wrote: “Next year's 10 Days of Prayer program stands under the theme 'SEEKING REVIVAL' and focuses on the importance of experiencing personal revival and the joy of complete surrender to God in every aspect of life ... The daily readings were written by Pastor Helmut Haubeil ... ”
+
+These readings are, so to speak, a short version of the small book series _Steps to Personal Revival_.
+
+I intend to ask the GC for permission to add the 10 days of prayer 2021 to our website www.steps-to-personal-revival.info: 10 Days of Prayer. There they can be downloaded or shared at any time. Someone wants to make use of them. We will also mention the corresponding book and chapter for each day, so that people can profit from the supplemental reading. (The books are available in many languages on the website.) This spiritual deepening will lead to strength and joy.
+
+### Step 2: Fostering Relationships Internally And Externally
+
+#### Internally
+
+A very good and reliable guide for 40-Days of prayer is the 40-Days book 1: Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming, by Dennis Smith (R&H). The book is divided in five sections with eight lessons each:
+
+- The baptism of the Holy Spirit;
+- Spirit baptism and prayer;
+- Spirit baptism and evangelism;
+- Spirit baptism and abiding in Christ;
+- Spirit baptism and fellowship.
+
+The following tips are taken from the 40-Days book No. 1, p. 5-6, introduction – partially adapted:
+
+This 40-Days of study and prayer devotional is designed to prepare God’s church for Christ’s second coming, as well as to reach out to others in preparation for that glorious event.
+
+This preparation begins with church members who are willing to commit to 40-Days of prayer and devotional study to develop a closer personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and to reach out to five individuals who the Lord has put on your heart to pray for every day.
+
+Jesus said, “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19 NKJV). There is great power in united prayer, and there is encouragement and spiritual strength in Christian fellowship. It is suggested that you find a prayer partner to fellowship and pray with. Share with each other about what you have read that day and pray together, either on the phone or in person, every day during the 40-Days of prayer and study.
+
+To gain the greatest benefit, I recommend that you find several individuals to join with you in using this devotional book. It would be well to meet weekly as a group to share and pray together. Choose one in the group to become your daily fellowship-prayer partner. Married couples have reported a special blessing, when they studied together. One couple wrote: “Reading and praying together has led us to such a closeness and oneness, which we have never before experienced.” Each participant in the group will do the same so that he/she may receive the greatest blessings during the 40 days ... Those on your prayer list may be family members, friends or coworkers. **A daily prayer list page is provided for this purpose in appendix E.**
+
+#### Externally
+
+**Special Intercessory Prayer for Five People**
+
+During the 40 days you will pray for these five people every day and reach out to them. There are suggestions of how you can reach out to someone and how you can let them know that you will be praying for them for 40 days and at the same time ask what they would like you to pray for in their behalf. You can find this in appendix A and B at the end of the book. Why prayer?
+
+Prayer is the most powerful force on earth. It is essential for one’s personal spiritual growth and is the most effective means of reaching others for Christ. Concerning prayer and the Christian’s spiritual growth, Ellen White wrote:
+
+“Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Wellspring of life and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor.” (Gospel Workers, p. 254)
+
+Mrs. White also recognized the necessity of prayer in leading others to Christ: “Through much prayer you must labor for souls, for this is the only method by which you can reach hearts. It is not your work, but the work of Christ who is by your side, that impresses hearts.” (Evangelism, p. 341) “The Lord will hear our prayers for the conversion of souls.” (Messages to Young People, p. 315)
+
+As you prayerfully consider the suggested ways (see appendix B) to reach out to those whom you are praying you will not only be praying for them, you will also be working to bring them closer to Christ and His church. God will bless your efforts when you pray for, and work for, those on your prayer list. He will not only use you to win others to Christ; He will draw you close to Himself. Ellen White understood this double blessing when she wrote:
+
+“As you work to answer your own prayers, you will find that God will reveal Himself unto you. ... Begin now to reach higher and still higher. Prize the things of heaven above earthly attractions and inducement. ... Learn how to pray; learn how to bear a clear and intelligent testimony, and God will be glorified in you.” (The Upward Look, p. 256)
+
+“Their persevering prayers will bring souls to the cross. In cooperation with their self-sacrificing efforts Jesus will move upon hearts, working miracles in the conversion of souls.”(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 27)
+
+**Why 40 days?**
+
+- Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai with God
+- Nineveh received 40 days of “grace” when Jonah called the city to repentance.
+- Jesus prepared Himself for His ministry for 40 days.
+- Jesus spent 40 days with His disciples before His ascension.
+
+**What were the disciples supposed to wait for?**
+
+After His resurrection, Jesus told his disciples that they were to wait to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit before they went forth to proclaim the gospel to the world: “And being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together they asked him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” and he said to them, “It is not for you to know times and seasons which the Father has put in his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:4-8 NKJV)
+
+Even though they had spent the past three and a half years daily with Christ and had seen and participated in a ministry of miracles, they were not ready to witness for Him. They were to wait to receive the power. After they received the baptism (infilling) of the Holy Spirit, which took place on the day of Pentecost, they would be empowered as never before to witness for Christ: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 NKJV) What was the order: prayer, reception of the Holy Spirit, joyful preaching of the gospel. (See also Acts 4:31.)
+
+**Double Blessing**
+
+By choosing to participate in 40-Days of study and prayer, you are entering into an amazing and blessed adventure with the Lord. You will experience a deeper relationship with Christ, and you will see the Lord use you to draw others closer to Himself in preparation for His soon return. As you fellowship with your prayer partner and the others participating in the 40-Days of prayer and devotional study, you will experience a deeper Christian love and unity with your fellow believers. This will play an important role in your personal spiritual growth.
+
+In order to get the most from the experience, it is recommended that this be the first thing you do in the morning. It may require rising a little earlier, but the effort will be well rewarded! If you ask the Lord to wake you so you can have some quality time with Him, He will hear and answer your prayer. Concerning Christ’s devotional life Ellen White wrote:
+
+“Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to others. His words were given Him fresh from the heavenly courts, words that He might speak in season to the weary and oppressed.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 139)
+
+Christ will do the same for you, if you ask Him. He very much desires to anoint you with His Holy Spirit in preparation for each new day.
+
+#### Key Factor: Church Members Taking Part In Mission Work
+
+This ministry for our fellowmen is a way to great joy and to personal growth in faith and it leads people to salvation in Christ. Thus a few more suggestions:
+
+**Ask God who you should pray for.**
+
+During these 40 days you are called on to pray daily for five people. Ask God to guide you in choosing these people.
+
+**Choose five people that you want to pray for.**
+
+You probably have relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors, acquaintances, former or non-active church members on your list, who you want to especially minister to during the 40 days by reaching out to them or inviting them for example to a special event at the church – people that are in the immediate vicinity.
+
+**Reach out to the five people, who you have chosen.**
+
+If you want, you can reach out to them immediately – shortly before the 40 days start. Others pray 20 or 30 days for these people and then reach out and tell them why and what they were praying for and invite them to a visitor Sabbath in the church, which is held at the end of the 40 days with a special program. We prepare ourselves through prayer before reaching out to these people.
+
+**How can we learn about the concerns of our acquaintances?**
+
+We can say to our acquaintance: “Our church has planned a special time of prayer for six weeks. We have been asked to pray for a number of people during this time. I would like to pray for you. May I ask what prayer requests you have concerning health, family or work?”
+
+Thank them for this opportunity and give them either Letter to Andrew number 4 Pascal’s bet – is there a God? Or isn’t there? or if the visitor’s Sabbath is taking place soon, then invite them and offer to pick them up or meet them at the church entrance.
+
+**Make notes**: name, telephone number, email, address, prayer request, observations and how the contact went.
+
+**Pray daily for these people.**
+
+This is a good opportunity to claim promises. You will find “Promises for Intercessory Prayer” in appendix A.
+
+**How can we demonstrate our interest?**
+
+We want to show our interest to these five people. You can find ideas for this in appendix B: Suggestions on how to reach out to people. An important suggestion is to share encouraging literature, especially interesting biblical tracts. That's why we have the Letters to Andrew. In chapter 9 page 157 it shows what is usually the best order to use them. If you have prepared for this contact through intensive prayer, these tracts will usually fall on the fertile soil of the heart.
+
+We are told: “I have been shown that we were not doing our duty in the gratuitous circulation of small publications. There are many honest souls who might be brought to embrace the truth by this means alone. ... These small tracts of four, eight, or sixteen pages, can be furnished for a trifle, from a fund raised by the donations of those who have the cause at heart.” (1T 551,552 and ChS 151.2 egwwritings.org)
+
+**40-Days Instruction Manual for Leaders**
+
+A 40-Days instruction manual, including evangelistic meetings at the end, is available from Dennis Smith. The manual is available for free at: www.40daysdevotional.com
+
+**Visitors Sabbath**
+
+At the end of the 40 days a special visitor day is planned in the church or in a care group. This should be well prepared under prayer.
+
+On the visitor Sabbath the guests are invited to the evangelistic series, which begins within the next few days or at the latest in a week either in the church or in a care group.
+
+### Step 3: Sharing The Gospel
+
+This can be done with Bible studies or evangelistic series in care groups or churches or if the conference plans, it could take place in all the churches in the conference at the same time. Many conferences and even unions or whole countries have held hundreds or thousands of evangelistic series at the same time with regional preachers as well as preachers from abroad. (We call this evangelistic thrust “Total Member Involvement”. https://tmi.adventist.org)
+
+**Video series for teaching faith**
+
+We repeat: Today we have really good tools to instruct and to develop faith in God and His Word, if no teacher is available. To teach the gospel, please look for evangelistic series that contain all the important Bible truths. The series with 20 – 30 presentations are best. In Appendix F you will find short descriptions of websites and what you can find there. These pages are valuable for children, youth, truth seekers and longtime believers. Also mentioned is the website from the GC Total Member Involvement: Material – Tips. This contains tips for Evangelism, Literature Distribution, diverse series on Health and Wellness, Diabetes, Depression Recovery and a Cooking School. In appendix F you will find a treasure chest of valuable websites.
+
+**Further work before or after the evangelistic series: Discipleship Course**
+
+It is very important that the newly baptized members take part in a discipleship course. Our wonderful book, The Steps to Christ by Ellen White, can be recommended the world over. (It is available at our publishing houses with several different titles.) It is our most translated book and is available in about 150 languages. The book is divided into two main sections and has 13 chapters. The two main sections are “How do I come to Christ?” and “How do I abide in Christ?” Naturally, a person can read the book alone, but it can also be read in small groups in a discussion group for interested people or youth or in the Pastor’s Bible Class.
+
+**The Pastor’s Bible Class**
+
+This special discussion group is a very valuable provision and serves as a baptismal class. But we don’t use this term. This group studies with the aid of special instructions questions of personal Christianity (i.e. with Steps to Christ) and the basic biblical truths. Preferably, the class is in a separate room. The only church members who attend this class, are those who are accompanying a guest. Those accompanying a guest are more sensitive when asking questions or making comments. The group is led by the pastor or another suitable teacher. In many countries the class is called the “Pastor’s Bible class”, because it is led by the pastor when possible. Candidates for baptism (youth and friends of the church) have the opportunity of being taught from God’s word once a week in addition to their usual weekly Bible study. In many countries this Bible class is one of the most effective methods of winning people for Jesus. This group is evangelism during the church service.
+
+**Mission Sabbath**
+
+Our fathers of faith had very practical solutions in many areas. One of them was a mission Sabbath. Once a month – usually the first Sabbath in the month – a mission Sabbath was held in every church. The basic idea was that motivation for mission work needed constant “oil”. The significance of a monthly mission Sabbath is to revive and maintain the spirit of mission. It requires care in word and deed. Either a dedicated person or a small group has to assume the responsibility of preparing this Sabbath. This kind of Sabbath will gradually become a great joy and necessity. Key words: short mission film, fresh mission songs, mission experiences, good news, mission children’s story, mission sermon, mission service or mission visitations.
+
+**What are the next steps?**
+
+It is recommended to repeat this three-step program often. The first time, a number of church members will experience encouragement from this message and the second time another group will join them in joyful and fruitful life. Each time new truth seekers will come. And it is valuable for newly baptized members. They also desperately need repetition. And our task of leading people to Christ should consistently take place. We need repetition, since we live in such hectic and extraordinary times. I was amazed to read two things in the following:
+
+“In every church the members should be so trained that they will devote time to the winning of souls to Christ. ... Peculiar and rapid changes will soon take place, and God’s people are to be endowed with the Holy Spirit, so that with heavenly wisdom they may meet the emergencies of this age.” (3TT 69)
+
+The books used in the first effort can readily be used again. But the book Abide in Jesus by Helmut Haubeil should also be considered because it helps build a close relationship with Christ. It is divided into the following study chapters:
+
+- Jesus’ Most Precious Gift
+- Surrender to Jesus
+- Jesus abiding in you
+- Obedience through Jesus
+- Attractive Faith through Jesus.
+
+Another possibility is the 40-Days book 2: Prayers and Devotions to Revive Your Experience with God by Dennis Smith. There are eight readings per topic: A people with amazing experiences, A people who wait on God, Our sovereign God, Difficult but necessary experiences, A people ready to meet Jesus.
+
+Both of these books coordinate with book one of the 40-Days books and Steps to Personal Revival and are built on it.
+
+**What experiences have people had?**
+
+The wonderful experience from the church in Cologne-Kalk/Germany and how it grew from 17 to 65 members in just 4 years because they used and repeated this method every year, is told in detail in www.steps-to-personalrevival.info, Testimonies 2/19.
+
+The results depend on if the Holy Spirit can work through us. We are limiting in this report to experiences from secular countries:
+
+- USA – Decatur, Alabama: Told at the beginning of this chapter: 15 baptisms
+- Switzerland – Tessin: 15 baptisms through 40-Days groups.
+- Tajikistan – Dushanbe: 46 baptisms in a year through 40-Days efforts.
+- England: 22 baptisms through spiritual orientated work.
+
+**Final Experience**
+
+A pastor testified that when he realized his powerlessness, he decided to thoroughly study the topic of the Holy Spirit in the Bible: “Eventually I studied 273 texts in the original languages that directly speak to the work of the Holy Spirit, and I found well over 2,000 unique quotes in Ellen White’s writings on the subject.” <sup>10</sup>
+
+May I ask: Was it without any doubt God’s intention for the end of time, which prompted Him to have Ellen White mention the Holy Spirit more than 2,000 times? Does He want to give His final church power, authority and victory? Does He want to bring us to the finish line in this way?
+
+The pastor continued to share that Jesus asked him three questions: “Do you love my people?”
+
+“Are you preaching the gospel each week with passion for lost souls? ” “Do you seek praise from men?”
+
+The tears began to flow as I confessed my sin.
+
+That year 37 people gave their lives to Jesus. In the years since that night, hundreds of people have made decisions for Christ. May the Lord Jesus be praised forever!” <sup>11</sup>
+
+**What is the first step to revival?**
+
+Our marvelous God answers this question personally in 2 Chronicles 7:1214 NKJV:
+
+“Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: I have heard your prayer. ... If My people ... will [1] humble themselves, and [2] pray and [3] seek My face, and [4] turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
+
+**“‘Humble themselves’**
+
+... this is the first directive in a series of four conditions in this message from God. Before we’re told to pray or to seek or to turn, we’re told to humble ourselves. ... We usually turn a deaf ear to a problem until there’s a nuclear meltdown, and we’re forced to listen. ... It becomes clear in the film ‘Titanic’ that the ship captain and his officers did not want to listen to the warnings of the iceberg field which they were heading towards.
+
+We humans often don’t listen until it’s too late. Why? Because we seldom like what we hear – especially if what we hear challenges us to change an opinion, a way of life, an attitude, or a behavior.” 12
+
+Shouldn’t we daily ask Jesus to give us a humble heart so that He can do “great and marvelous things” through us?
+
+**Advice and Prayer: What should we do with the three steps?**
+
+We want to take the time for prayer and contemplation for the preliminary thoughts on how we can implement the suggestions in chapter 10 New Spiritual-Missionary Start in Three Steps (see the questions on the next page).
+
+The Corona virus crisis has had an effect on our lives, which we never could have believed possible. When we invite our neighbors to a care group to discuss “Ways to Improve your Immune System”, then we can speak about the meaning of a personal relationship with God (Psalm 91) and about the eight ways to health (Newstart) or Newstart-Plus. Our goal should be to show others the advantages, which they don’t have yet. May the Lord bless you in your contemplation and prayer.
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>10</sup> Seeking God’s Spirit, January 8. – 18.,2020, Day 4, p. 36 – www.tendaysofprayer.org)
+
+<sup>11</sup> Ibid., p. 37, We just mentioned the main thoughts.
+
+<sup>12</sup> Randy Maxwell, If My People Pray (Pacific Press 1995), p. 72.
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+title: "Chapter 10: New Spiritual–Missionary Start In Three Steps"
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@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+---
+title: Being Spirit-filled Anew Every Day!
+---
+
+### What do others have to say about the necessity of continually asking for the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
+
+**General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists**: “The baptism of the Spirit is not a onetime event; we can experience it daily. We need to plead with the Lord for that baptism because it gives the church power to witness and to proclaim the gospel. To do this we must continually surrender our lives to God, abide fully in Christ, and ask Him for wisdom to discover our gifts (James 1:5).” <sup>13</sup>
+
+**Carlos Steger**: “Baptism with the Holy Spirit means to be totally under the influence of the Spirit, completely ‘filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:18 NKJV). This is not a ‘once and forever’ experience, but is something that needs to be constantly renewed.” <sup>14</sup>
+
+**Frank Hasel**: “While the Spirit is given by the hearing of faith (Galatians 3:2) and is received through faith (Galatians 3:14) at our baptism (Titus 3:5-6), we need to seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit every day. We can’t live off a powerful experience that we had last year or last month or even yesterday. We need the infilling of God’s Spirit each day, for each day brings its own challenges.” <sup>15</sup>
+
+**Johannes Mager**: “According to this, the infilling of the Holy Spirit is not a onetime experience, but rather it is a recurring and progressive process. A Christian isn’t like a vessel that has been filled once and for all, rather he has to let himself be continually ‘refilled’. ... The infilling of the Holy Spirit, which we received at our baptism, can be lost when the fullness that was given isn’t retained. If it has been lost, then it can be received again.” <sup>16</sup>
+
+David Wolkwitz: “First of all, we will show how important it is to be filled with the Spirit. ... In the end we will discover that this infilling is the central point of the new covenant. And we want to be aware of God’s wooing, who wants us to receive this blessing day after day.” <sup>17</sup>
+
+Ekkehardt Müller: “In addition, it must be remembered that the infilling of the Holy Spirit follows rebirth, but it isn’t a process that functions automatically. The relationship has to be renewed daily.” <sup>18</sup>
+
+Dennis Smith: “Another important point is that the infilling with the Spirit has to be daily renewed. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31 ‘I die daily’. The dying of self and the infilling of the Holy Spirit is a daily experience. It isn’t a ‘once and for all’ experience. Paul said that ‘the inward man is being renewed day by day’ (2 Corinthians 4:16). We need renewal from the Spirit every day of our lives. Paul challenged us with the words ‘be filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:18). The verb in this verse is in the continuous tense, which means in Greek that we should do it daily. By being filled with the Spirit, the believer is then led by Him.” <sup>19</sup>
+
+Ellen G. White:
+
+– “For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God.” <sup>20</sup>
+
+– “that even Christ during His life on earth sought His Father daily for fresh supplies of needed grace.” <sup>21</sup>
+
+“Through the cunning devices of the enemy the minds of God’s people seem to be incapable of comprehending and appropriating the promises of God. ... The power of God awaits their demand and reception.” <sup>22</sup>
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>13</sup> Seventh-day Adventistis Believe A Biblical Exposition of 27 (28) fundamental doctrines, Copyright by the Ministerial Association General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Chapter 17, Spiritual Gifts and Ministries, p. 213.2 – www.Carenage Seventh-dayAdventist-Church Trinidad and Tobago, 16.8.2020
+
+<sup>14</sup> Adult Bible Study Guide – Standard Edition – July 17, 2014, Principle Contributor: Carlos Steger
+
+<sup>15</sup> Adult Bible Study Guide – Standard Edition – January 30, 2017, Principle Contributor: Frank Hasel
+
+<sup>16</sup> Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes, Advent-Verlag (Lüneburg 1999), S. 101
+
+<sup>17</sup> Der Weg zu einer kraftvollen Erweckung (Hrsg. Abteilung Heimatmission, Gemeinschaft der Siebenten-Tags-Adventisten in Nordrhein-Westfalen), S. 102, 103, ohne Datum. Abschnitt “Lasst euch erfüllen” (Ephesians 5,18)
+
+<sup>18</sup> Die Lehre von Gott (Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen 2019), S. 224
+
+<sup>19</sup> 10 Days–Prayers and Devotions to Experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Dennis Smith
+
+<sup>20</sup> Acts of the Apostles, p. 50.2
+
+<sup>21</sup> Acts of the Apostles, p. 56.1
+
+<sup>22</sup> Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 174.2
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+title: Being Spirit-filled Anew Every Day!
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/12-revival/12-revival.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/12-revival/12-revival.md
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+---
+title: Revival!
+---
+
+### What do others say about revival? What does revival mean? Can we do something about it?
+
+**Ellen G. White**: What does revival mean? “Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death.” <sup>23</sup>
+
+**Mark Finley**: Can we do something about it? “Revival doesn’t happen when we simply read about it, but rather when we put into practice the biblical elements of a revival.” <sup>24</sup>
+
+**D. Martin Lloyd-Jones**: “When God sends a revival, then He can accomplish more in a day than through 50 years of our organized attempts.” <sup>25</sup>
+
+**Charles G. Finney**: “Revival is nothing other than a new beginning of obedience to God (Revelation 2:5) [Returning to your first love].” <sup>26</sup>
+
+**Dennis Smith**: “The infilling of the Holy Spirit gives the Laodicean-Christians the necessary strength for a spiritual revival as well as the strength to witness. Jesus knew how important the outpouring of the Holy Spirit would be to the early rain at Pentecost. He said: ‘I came to send a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!’ (Luke 12:49) But how can the Laodicean-Christians experience the infilling of the Holy Spirit as well as a revival? In the same way as always – by praying and claiming God’s promises.” <sup>27</sup>
+
+**LeRoy E. Froom**: “God cannot do anything revolutionary with people before He has done something revolutionary for them, by the Holy Spirit entering their lives.” <sup>28</sup>
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>23</sup> Selected Messages Book 1, 1SM, 128.1
+
+<sup>24</sup> Belebe uns neu (Advent-Verlag Lüneburg, 2011), S. 25 (Revive us again, PPPA 2010)
+
+<sup>25</sup> Vollmacht (Franke, Marburg 1984) S. 105
+
+<sup>26</sup> Ch. G. Finney, Über Geistliche Erweckung (Harfe-Verlag, Aarburg 1976), S. 5
+
+<sup>27</sup> 40-Days of Prayers and Devotions to prepare for the second coming, 40 Tage-Andachten und Gebete zur Vorbereitung auf die Wiederkunft Jesu (Wien 2012), S. 103
+
+<sup>28</sup> Das Kommen des Heiligen Geist (Edelstein 1995), S. 100
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+title: Revival!
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/13-blessing/13-blessing.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/13-blessing/13-blessing.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+---
+title: Blessing
+---
+
+“Abiding in Christ means:
+
+- a constant receiving of His Spirit,
+- a life of unreserved surrender
+- to His service.” (E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 676.2)
+
+May this message help us to daily ask for and receive the Holy Spirit through claiming promises in prayer and help us to daily completely surrender to Jesus and His service, so that we lead a fruitful life to His honor and our joy.
+
+I recommend that you carefully study John 15:1-17. Jesus shows us in the parable of the vine and the branches:
+
+John 15:2 Branches without fruit will be cut off and burned! Branches bearing fruit will be pruned so that they bear more fruit!
+
+John 15:4 Only when we abide in Jesus do we bear fruit!
+
+John 15:5 Whoever abides in Jesus, bears much fruit!
+
+John 15:8 God is glorified with much fruit!
+
+John 15:16 Our task is to bear fruit!
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: “Father in heaven, we ask you that we daily bear fruit to your honor through fellowship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Please help us to be filled with Your love so that we can serve You by serving our fellowmen. Lead us in our intercessory prayers and personal contacts. Give us an enthusiastic and victorious life to your honor and glory, for the salvation and blessings of our fellowmen as well as for our own salvation and joy. AMEN.”
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Blessing
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/14-recommendation/14-recommendation.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/14-recommendation/14-recommendation.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,2568 @@
+---
+title: Recommendation
+---
+
+**Important advice**: Read this book or the most important passages or chapters for you – if possible – six times in succession. Educational research has shown that we have to read or hear important topics for our life six to ten times before we can thoroughly understand it.
+
+At least give it a try. The results will convince you. I have received many grateful and enthusiastic testimonies about people’s new life in the Holy Spirit. Almost all of these testimonies come from readers, who have intensely devoted themselves to repeatedly reading the material.
+
+**Please share your new experiences**
+
+A friendly request: When you have experiences in your life with the Holy Spirit – in your personal faith experience or in witnessing to others – then we would be thankful if you would send a short message to Helmut Haubeil for publication. We usually only print the first letters of the person’s name.
+
+Please bear in mind that your experience can motivate others to start a life with the Holy Spirit, to grow and to serve Jesus by serving others.
+
+Contact:
+Helmut Haubeil
+helmut@haubeil.net
+
+188 RECOMMENDATION
+
+Biography
+
+Helmut Haubeil is a businessman and a pastor. After successfully working as an authorized representative for a freight company, he accepted God’s call at the age of 37 to become a pastor and worked 16 years for the church.
+
+After that he was the leader of the Adventist retirement home in Bad Aibling.
+
+Since he retired, he is leader of the support group for Revival and Global Mission in this church.
+
+He doesn’t see himself as the author of the book Steps to Personal Revival, which is the basis for this series. He never had the intention of writing a book. But God led him down this path. The authority, which we can obtain for our life of faith and our service, doesn’t lay in these little books, but rather on the Giver of the gift – our wonderful Lord.
+
+I have passed on tracts or copies of sermons as often as possible. Our wonderful God showed His messenger that such documents can break the walls of prejudice and superstition. And – a whole new interest can arise. I am grateful that I was able to experience this often and still do. I find the following quote very valuable:
+
+“I have been shown that the publications already have been doing a work upon some minds in other countries in breaking down the walls of prejudice and superstition. I was shown men and women studying with intense interest papers and few pages of tracts upon present truth. They would read the evidences so wonderful and new to them, and would open their Bibles with a deep and new interest, as subjects of truth that had been dark to them were made plain, especially the light in regard to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. As they searched the Scriptures to see if these things were so, a new light shone upon their understanding, for angels were hovering over them, and impressing their minds with the truths contained in the publications they had been reading.” (Christian Service, p 149.7; ChS, 149.7)
+
+189
+
+APPENDIX
+
+Day 38
+
+Appendix A: Promises for Intercessory Prayer
+
+We can find in the introduction of the 40-Days Books vol. 1, 2 and 3 by Dennis Smith additional promises for intercessory prayer.
+
+1. Please Father, draw him/her to You (John 6:44).
+
+2. Please Father, place the desire in their hearts to seek You (Acts 17:27).
+
+3. Please Father, help them to believe Your word (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
+
+4. Please Father, destroy Satan’s influence over them (2 Corinthians 4:4;
+
+10:4-5).
+
+5. Please Father, let them be influenced by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-13)
+
+6. Please Father, help them to turn away from sin (Acts 3:19).
+
+7. Please Father, help them to accept Christ as their Savior (John 1:12).
+
+8. Please Father, help them to obey Christ as their Lord (Matthew 7:21).
+
+9. Please Father, help them to grow in Christ and to become rooted in Him
+
+(Col. 2:6-7).
+
+Appendix B: Suggestions of How to Reach Out to People
+
+1. Show them what you appreciate about them.
+
+2. Give them encouraging literature (Letters to Andrew).
+
+3. Call them and pray with them. (If they are open to this.)
+
+4. Invite them over to a meal at your house.
+
+5. Invite them out to eat at a restaurant.
+
+6. Send them birthday wishes on their birthday.
+
+7. Send them an encouraging card or something else that God places on
+
+your heart.
+
+8. Give them something that you have cooked or baked yourself.
+
+9. Invite them to join you shopping, visiting a museum, etc.
+
+10. If needed, send them a “Get Well” card or something else to show your
+
+sympathy.
+
+11. Give their child a birthday card or make them a present, if appropriate.
+
+12. Give them interesting biblical tracts (for example, the Letters to Andrew)
+
+13. Invite them to go to church with you.
+
+190 APPENDIX
+
+14. In due time, ask them if they would like to have Bible studies.
+
+15. Valuable advice: recommend a New Start course in one of our Adventist health centers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Estonia, Portugal, USA, Israel, etc. These programs are extremely invaluable for the body and soul through the combination of trust in God and natural remedies. According to a study, a positive relationship with God is the greatest factor for good health. In addition, it strengthens the other health factors (diet, exercise, rest, etc.) by more than three times. The study was conducted under the leadership of Prof. Grossarth-Maticek on 35,000 people over a period of 30 years. (Doctors Manfred Heide, Marvin H. Heide & Michaela Heide-Fassbender, Medical
+
+Wellness with Newstart-Plus, Engelsdorfer 2014, p. 334)
+
+16. We can also give people that believe in God the book Steps to Personal Revival; it is about a life with the Holy Spirit. The book is free of charge in poor countries; in other countries there is a minimal charge and has
+
+already helped many people have living faith.
+
+(The order address is on page 2 in the books and also in the appendix.)
+
+As we get to know our fellowmen better, then other good ideas will come to mind.
+
+Appendix C: The Way to Eternal Life
+
+The pamphlet The Way to Eternal Life can be downloaded or sent free of charge at www.steps-to-personal-revival.info. It can be found under: Experience God – Letters to Andrew. It is also in the Starter-Set.
+
+191
+
+Appendix D: Summary of Letters to Andrew
+
+Day 39
+
+LA No. 1 – Christian Faith put to the Test
+
+Everything hinges on honestly answering three questions. I have taken this path hundreds of times and have repeatedly experienced positive reactions and amazement.
+
+1. Does a living, all-knowing and all-powerful God exist, who loves humans?
+
+2. Is Jesus of Nazareth really the redeemer sent by God?
+
+3. Was the Bible or the Holy Scriptures really written by people under God’s authority or is it merely a human product?
+
+There are very satisfactory answers to these fundamental questions. See
+
+for yourself. Perhaps you weren’t familiar with this introduction until now.
+
+LA No. 2 – Unique and beyond comparison: Jesus of Nazareth
+
+The greatest character in the history of the world – unique and beyond comparison. What impact did Jesus’ life have? Why is Jesus so unique? Why did His life leave such a lasting impression, like no other biography? Who did Jesus say that He was? What did eyewitnesses say, what does history say? What did genuine doubters discover when they examined the facts?
+
+LA No. 3 – What is the main focus of the Bible?
+
+God’s plan of redemption is portrayed in a short and spirited manner in this Letter to Andrew. What must one do to receive fullness of life and eternal life? Large surveys showed that 98% of people questioned, had a false perception of what the main focus of the Bible was. This letter clearly shows that redemption is a gift of God and cannot and doesn’t need to be earned. It is awesome when this truth becomes clear to someone!
+
+LA No. 4 – Pascals Bet: Does God exist or not? What are the chances?
+
+Generally, this bet is known as “Pascal’s bet”. Blaise Pascal came to the conclusion that every sensible person had to decide for Jesus Christ even if the chances of the accuracy of the Christian teachings lay at only 50:50. Dr. Viggo Olson, a well-known surgeon and a determined opponent of faith, encountered Blaise Pascal’s statements. He and his wife fought tooth and nail against the Christian faith. But after intensive studies he became a staunch Christian. Every person has to make a decision. A person has to build their life either on the assumption that the Christian teachings are true or on the assumption that they are false. Whoever doesn’t enter this bet, automatically places a bet on the possibility that the Christian teachings are false.
+
+192 APPENDIX
+
+LA No. 5 – Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol
+
+The tremendous experience of Adolf is told in this letter. He was a 39-yearold truck driver, who smoked 60-70 cigarettes a day. At the same time, this is a valuable introduction to praying with promises. Since there are more than 3,000 promises, we can pray for many areas of our lives with the assurance that our prayer will be answered. It is like getting permission for unlimited withdrawal from “God’s account”. This marvelous gift of God is essential for everyone who wants to lead a victorious Christian life. How can someone become immediately and completely free from additions with God’s help? Whoever would like to know this should read this Letter to Andrew.
+
+LA No. 6 – How do you know what the future holds?
+
+This is a study of the prophetic book of Daniel, chapter 2. It is the basis for understanding the biblical books "Daniel" and "Revelation", both of which were written for our time. This prophecy reveals the emergence of certain world empires and the establishment of the kingdom of God. Of the six predictions, five have already been precisely fulfilled. We can therefore expect the sixth prediction to also be fulfilled. What is still to come? You will be glad to learn about this prophecy.
+
+LA No. 7 – Prevention or healing?
+
+This Letter to Andrew is very important in order to indirectly address prejudices in the area of belief and health. This is illustrated by the experience of Dr. Semmelweis. From whom does the science of preventive medicine come? Who helped save the lives of millions in the 14th century from the plague and in the 18th century from dysentery, cholera and typhoid? The Bible was 4,000 years ahead of science in reducing uterine cancer. How? A large-scale examination of the lifestyle of the Seventh-day Adventists shows the advantage of a healthy lifestyle. (Which is doubly important in a time of epidemics because our immune system depends on it.)
+
+LA No. 8 – Prophecies about Jesus Christ
+
+Probability of Fulfillment 1:1017
+
+This Letter to Andrew especially strengthens trust in Jesus of Nazareth being the divine Redeemer and the Bible being inspired by God. Different prophecies and fulfillments about Jesus’ life are compared. Eight details show why the fulfillment of these prophecies is impossible from a human standpoint.
+
+193
+
+LA No. 9 – Prophecies about four cities
+
+They were literally fulfilled, even though the mathematical probability was 1:200 trillion.
+
+– The Golden Gate of Jerusalem – The legendary Babylon
+
+– The strange rock city of Petra – Tyre’s rise and fall
+
+LA No. 10 – Jesus and the Sabbath
+
+What is the relationship between Jesus and the Biblical Sabbath? This Letter to Andrew shows how the Sabbath is connected to Jesus as the Creator, as the leader of God's people, as the divine Lawgiver, as the Redeemer, as the commissioner of the prophets, as a human being, as the crucified and risen One, as a counselor for the disciples, as the Lamb of God, as returning Lord, as judge of the world and as King of the new earth. Here you will find out what the Sabbath means for Jesus Christ and for all people.
+
+LA No. 11 – What did Jesus say about Jerusalem, His second coming and the end of the world?
+
+What can we learn from the “mini-judgement” which took place in 70 A.D.? This Letter to Andrew shows how valuable and helpful complete trust in Jesus’ words is. At that time, all the Christians were saved, because they solely oriented themselves by Jesus’ words. Simultaneously, one million extremely religious people, who had traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover, suffered a dreadful fate. What can we learn from the story of Jerusalem regarding the end of the world and Jesus’ second coming? What decision will we make?
+
+LA No. 12 – Sign of the return of Jesus
+
+Is the big turning point coming – or ... the end? The disciples asked: How will we know that you are coming and that the end of the world is here? Detailed information is given on the eight signs mentioned. What was it like before the fall of Jerusalem and what is the situation like today? Final question: Are we facing the big turning point or will it soon be the end?
+
+LA No. 13 – Seize Life through a Personal Relationship with God
+
+Assuming – You would die today (heart attack or accident). Do you have the assurance now of eternal life with Jesus Christ? Don’t remain in the dark! Five facts will help you find an answer. Whoever searches for a relationship with God, will make the discovery of a lifetime!
+
+194 APPENDIX
+
+LA No. 14 – Life in God’s Strength – How?
+
+“... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV) Jesus wants us to experience this new life now and to continue it after His second coming as eternal life in God’s kingdom. This Letter to Andrew is about how we can have motivation and strength for a happy and consistent relationship to a life with Jesus.
+
+LA No. 15 – Benefit from reading the Bible – How?
+
+Maybe you once planned on studying for yourself the most widely read book in the world, the Bible. Some have started studying, but then quickly abandoned their plan. Probably because they hadn’t found the right way to start. You will find a 14-day test in this Letter to Andrew.
+
+LA No. 16 – How can I experience God’s love and forgiveness?
+
+How can I obtain forgiveness? How can the problem of my guilt be resolved? How does guilt originate? Why are there feelings of guilt without any real guilt? Why is deliverance from guilt necessary for our happiness? What is the best way to deal with guilt?
+
+LA No. 17 – Do you have something against someone?
+
+How can I forgive and forget? Forgiveness frees both parties! Why should we forgive others? How do I receive divine strength to forgive? How can I determine if I have really forgiven someone? What effect does it have on me and others when I forgive them?
+
+Starter-Set Letters to Andrew
+
+The Starter-Set contains all numbers which are necessary to start. These include No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 14 and Z1. These numbers are also already available on the website.
+
+All 17 Letters to Andrew will be available by the end of 2020. The order address, the offers and the missionary prices are under “Book Offers” on page 202. You can also download and send them for free at www. steps-topersonal-revival.info – Letters to Andrew
+
+195
+
+Appendix E: Daily Prayer List
+
+Recommendation:
+
+If possible, please note for every person:
+
+First and Last Name: Telephone Number: E-Mail:
+
+Address:
+
+Prayer Requests:
+
+Prior Notes:
+
+Course of Contacts:
+
+ 196 APPENDIX
+
+Appendix F: Video Series for Teaching Faith
+
+Websites for Youth and People seeking God
+
+Today we have really good tools to instruct and to develop faith in God and His Word, if no teacher is available. To teach the gospel, please look for evangelistic series that contain all the important Bible truths. The series, which have 20 or more presentations, are usually very suitable. May I recommend that the leader listen to certain subjects by himself beforehand, so that he can promote the series by mentioning certain features and so that he can assess whether the participants are ready for the message yet.
+
+Endtime Messages from Jesus
+
+Developed by the Ministerial Association of the SDA-Church; 6 volumes, 86 sermons: Prophecy, Doctrinal, Sermons on Health, Sermons for Families, In this, we believe.https://www.gcevangelism.net/sermons/
+
+Total Member Involvement
+
+The website from the General Conference has helpful advice and web addresses: Total Member Involvement https://tmi.adventist.org/ – Materials TMI-tips: There are tips for Evangelism, Literature Distribution, Health and Wellness, Diabetes, Depression Recovery, Cooking School.
+
+27 Bible Study Guides
+
+Amazing Facts Bible Study Guides can be read online for free and even printed off for sharing and study. Several languages are available! www.amazingfacts/bible/study guides
+
+New Beginnings – Youth Edition
+
+You can present 26 illustrated valuable Bible Studies with completely updated high-resolution graphics complete with presenter notes. (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French)
+
+https://asiministries.org/newbeginnings/
+
+Lifting Up Jesus
+
+Free download of 30 lessons in 10 languages, and 16 kids-lessons http://www.liftingupjesus.net
+
+Day 40
+
+197
+
+Unsealing Daniel’s Mysteries
+
+Download 12 topics for free by Mark Finley https://www.itiswritten.com/bible-studies-unsealing-daniels-mysteries
+
+Hope Awakens – Evangelistic series
+
+20 presentations by John Bradshaw: Are you trying to make sense of today’s unprecedented times? Are you prepared for what lies ahead? Are we really living during the end of times? Hope Awakens offers insight into today’s most pressing topics. CDs $ 59.99 https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
+
+Time is Ticking Away – 20 Presentations
+
+Pastor Doug says about this unique, power-packed Bible study series: “I meet a lot of people who are interested in future events but don’t want to be drowned with religion. In this series, we investigate the Scriptures apart from traditional religious understanding so we can determine the real history and future of our planet. ... I look forward to sharing my research with you. https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/watch/archives/o/144/t/ time-is-ticking-away
+
+Revelation’s Ancient Discoveries
+
+26 Presentations (3ABN); Mark Finley explores the great prophecies of the Bible revealing God’s plan for our future. https://www.youtube/revelation’s ancient discoveries
+
+Videos on Holy Spirit and Prayer
+
+27 presentations by Dennis Smith, 3 by Roy Rugless, 5 by Colin Hone – you find them under “Video” and “Media”. You can order the 40-Days-Books and more at the same address.
+
+https://www.spiritbaptism.org/
+
+How to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
+
+Dwight Nelson – 3 sermons https://steps-to-personal-revival.info/
+
+198 APPENDIX
+
+Steps to Personal Revival
+
+Audiobook, 7 parts, Speaker: Mike Fenton Videosermons, 7 parts by Helmut Haubeil http://steps-to-personal-revival.info
+
+Occult, Witchcraft and Satanism Epidemic
+
+Sermon No. 11 https://www.gcevangelism.net/sermons/
+
+Truth 4 Youth Evangelistic Series
+
+For children 5-13 years of age
+
+Young Disciple’s Truth 4 Youth DVD series gives you the tools and resources you need to present a full evangelistic program to the single most important population group we can reach with the message.
+
+A complete evangelistic series for children! By far the most effective “window” of time for reaching children with the gospel is between the ages of 5 and 13. In fact, research by the Barna Institute shows that children between the ages of 5 and 13 are more than five times more likely than adults to make a lifelong commitment to Christ.
+
+$ 129,99
+
+www.itiswritten.shop/product/truth4youth
+
+Youth program “Most Important Questions” – 10 Presentations
+
+https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/watch/archives/o/116/t/ most-important-questions--miqUltimate Purpose – 4 Presentations – This short Ultimate Purpose series is good on these basic questions as well: https://www.amazingfacts.org/medialib-ray/watch/archives/o/125/t/ultimate-purpose
+
+Formula 4 Faith – 6 Presentations
+
+Covers the basics of salvation – Pastor Doug Batchelor takes you on a lifealtering biblical journey to uncover the essential steps of salvation, winsomely leading you in a dynamic spiritual ... https://www.amazingfacts.org/medialibray/watch/archives/o/156/t/formula-4-faith
+
+199
+
+Highlight
+
+A heart-warming experience at the end
+
+Louisa M. R. Stead was born in Dover/England and emigrated to the United States with her husband around 1880. The first months were very hard until her husband found work. Their first vacation was three days at the sea. Her husband tried to save a boy who was fighting for his life in the stormy sea. Both were hit by a strong wave and drowned.
+
+Luisa was now without her husband and alone with her three-year-old daughter. After a few weeks, she had to leave her apartment because she could not pay the rent. She wrote in her diary:
+
+“I cannot afford to keep my eyes on the problem when I have such a wonderful God who died for me. I want to look away from my problems and look to Jesus because he is willing and able to help us. If He's with me, I'm not afraid.”
+
+She slept on a park bench with the child in her arms to warm her. Throughout the whole time, she did not ask for help, but praised God. She said:
+
+“Lord, I have nothing right now, but there are people in the Bible who have lost everything and yet praised you. You don't have to bless me in order for me to praise You. I trust you and praise you for whatever I am experiencing.”
+
+In the middle of the park – it was 1882 – Louisa began to write the song:
+
+“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”
+
+When she sang this song, a man stopped: “You must be doing very well, because you sing so beautifully.” She replied: “I am not singing because I am fine. I am singing because I trust Jesus.”
+
+In the course of the conversation, the man found that she had no job, her husband had died, their food was running low and she had to spend the night on this bench with her daughter. He shook his head in disbelief. “And yet you sing ...?”
+
+She replied: “It's only a matter of time before Jesus intervenes. I'm happy just thinking about it.”
+
+It turned out that this gentleman was one of the richest men at the time. He owned all of the railroad lines in the United States. He offered her office work, which she was very happy to take on. She did this job so well that after a short while he said to her: “You work as if you fear God. You do it so well, regardless whether someone is watching you or not.” She replied:
+
+“You don't understand it properly, I don't work for you, I work for Jesus.”
+
+200 HIGHLIGHT
+
+Her conscientious work and her pronounced organizational talent led to the fact that she was always promoted and that she was ultimately responsible for the complete organization across all railway lines. The owner put it like this: “I trust her more than myself.” Her lifestyle changed. She got a very good salary, was able to buy a large house and also take good care of her daughter.
+
+After two years she wrestled with the question, what would Jesus do in her place?
+
+She quit her lucrative work, sold her house and went to South Africa with her daughter to work in the mission among blacks especially for children. After six months she had used up all her money. She traveled back to make money again. Then she went back to Zimbabwe with her daughter. She continued this lifestyle for the next 32 years, until her death in Zimbabwe in 1917. Her daughter continued her mother's work. Louisa lived a life of trust and commitment to her Master, whom she loved so much.
+
+(Told in a sermon in Austria by P.G. Retranslated from German by Google translation.)
+
+1. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, 2. Just to take Him at His Word;
+
+Just to rest upon His promise,
+
+And to know, “Thus saith the
+
+Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood; And in simple faith to plunge me ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
+
+Lord!” Refrain Refrain
+
+3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, 4. Just from sin and self to cease;
+
+Just from Jesus simply taking
+
+Life and rest, and joy and peace. Refrain
+
+Refrain:
+
+Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
+
+Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
+
+(Melody: www.Louisa M.R.Stead)
+
+I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. Refrain
+
+201
+
+Note: It has been decided differently in different areas:
+
+Whether this book is V1 or V2 is indicated on the first page at the top right.
+
+Version 1 (V1)
+
+In this edition, the Starter-Set (the Letters to Andrew) is offered in an envelope along with the book. You can order additional copies at the publisher and possibly download them on their website and www.steps-to-personal-revival.info: Letters to Andrew – Starter-Set.
+
+Version 2 (V2)
+
+In this edition the Starter-Set (the Letters to Andrew) is included in the book starting at page 202. You can download copies from the website of the publisher or www.steps-to-personalrevival.info: Letters to Andrew – Starter-Set.
+
+202
+
+EXPERIENCE GOD Letters to Andrew
+
+Christian Faith put to the Test
+
+Letter to Andrew 1
+
+Everything hinges on honestly answering three questions.
+
+DI ameahraAppnydthreatwy,*ou want to establish clarity agblaodulyt Gattoedm, pJetstuos hCehlprisbtyadnrdawthinegByiobuler. aIttwenil-l tTiodnatyo, athfewyfouuntdhamanendtatlhfiancktsi.ng people are oBcibculep.yBinugttthemysmelvaeksemoonreefianedmdisotriencwtitohn.thAe mthoindgeragtaoirnsptuGt oitdl,ikbeuthIisd:o“hI advoena’t lhotavaegainys-t HToidsa‘gyr,omunandycrsewn’se–thaetcthuercehm.”ust be somethienygfianbdodueteGpeordmaefatnerinaglla.nThdpeyurapsoks:eCinoulilfde wknitohw Hthiemfa?ctCs.oThnteymwpaonratrtyo kpneowplewhwatanittwtilol profit them. And I have to say: They are right.
+
+* ThAnedrewasoanfte–r Athnedbreibwlilceadl AhinsdbrreowthienrJPoehtner1t:o40Je-s4u2s.
+
+TahneswCehrritshtrieaen qfauietshtihoinsg:eGsoodn, hJeosnues,tly B1.ibDleo!es a living, all-knowing and allpowerful God exist, who loves humans? 2. IdseeJmeseursseonft bNyaGzaorde?th really the Re3. wWraistttehne bByibpleoprlHe uolnydSecrrGipotudr’sesauretahlolyrity or is it merely a human product? There are very satisfactory answers to tIhweasnetfutondshaomwenytoaul qauweasytioynous. can find the aynouswrserlsfftohraynouifrsIeltf.ryIttiosbdeottetrhiaft.yoMuacyobneviynocue arerfeenr’trinagcqtuoa.inted yet with the method I am ThareecaBlliebdleprcopnhtaeicniess.mHaunnydrperdesdiocftitohnesm. Thhaevye
+
+btheemn faunlfidllveedr.ifWy ethceamn.aIcqaumainsutroeutrhsaetlvyeosuwaitrhe acacqnusahionwtedyowuiathnesowmaespoefctthneomw. But maybe I
+
+of Nazareth
+
+Letter to Andrew 2
+
+The greatest figure in the history of the world – unique and unparalleled
+
+DearAndrew,* WhatimpactdidsaiJde:s“uIsa’mlifneothmaviseta?kenwhen Ithesaynaavlilesofthtahte eavremr iseasilethda, talelvetrhemparrclhiaemd,enatlsl thogaetthevere,rhsavt,eanllothaeffekcitnegdsttheatlifeeveorfrmeiagneodn,tphuits earth as much as that one solitary life – the life of Wbeliilelivainmg, EoduwtastradndHinagrtphoislteorLiaencksya,ida:n “uThnecphaattrearcnteorfovfirJteusue,s bhuats tnhoetlonglyestbeinencenthtievehignheistts pthracttictem, anydbehatrsuelyxesratied tshoatdetehpe asinmpinleflurecnocred, otof rtehgreneesrhaotertaynedartso osof fatecntivmealnifkeinhdasthdaonealml tohre disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortaJheasvues wbeaesn’t wanritatuenthoarboanutd yHeitmmothreanboaonkys › Hceentwralsnfi’tgaurheisotof rhiaisntoarnyd. ThyeteHdeatbeecoanmevtehrye
+
+* AThThnedrewasoanfte–r Athnedbreibwlilceadl AhinsdbrreowthienrJPoehtner1t:o40Je-s4u2s.
+
+newspaper and letter affirms this.
+
+What is the Bible’s main objective?
+
+Letter to Andrew 3
+
+The Bible is the most significant and most widely read book in the world literature.
+
+9w8h%at oitfstchoerepemoepslesahgaevseisa. mistaken perception of what the Bible wants and
+
+DInteraerstAinnthderBeiwbl,e*isgrowing.Inthepastyear 5w6o1rldmwilildioe.n bInibliGcaelrwmraitni-nsgpseawkeinregdicsotruibnutrtieds ainbothuet 8Bimbliel.lion people read often or regularly Tofotdhaey,BIibalme.Dwr.itJianmgeasbKouentnthedeymeastinimoabtejescthivaet 9m8a%in hoabvjecatimvei.stThakeant piserwcehpytiIonamof wthreitBinigbleto’s yitomu oabreoeuatstihlyistoinodthetearisl. Then, you can explain ThanseweBribtole’tshemqauinestoiobnje:ctive is to give us an
+
+* AThnedrewasoanfte–r Athnedbreibwlilceadl AhinsdbrreowthienrJPoehtner1t:o40Je-s4u2s.
+
+Hlifoew?canapersonreceivenew,eternal
+
+JmaebsauynshdaCvnhetlryli.is”fteu(,sJoanhsadnid1t:h0a:“t1I0thNeayvKemJVacoy)mheavtehaitt mthoerye
+
+Mfraonmy lhiafev.eHthoewedveesri,reJetsousgeCthsroismt ewtahnintsg litfoe,nbouttonalsyogaivreicuhsasnodmfeutlhfiinllgedfrloifme. This ldiofemh, assectuoridtoy wanitdhsluorve,hjopye,.freeTshchisonlaeswticlisf,ecahraesepr,ofsriiteinvedsehfifpe,ctmsaornwAriilnaldgbeetd,hicfimasmrenrnielswydi,olhoninfefeaoilnartchaclaolcnroedmtienoprgunlerittofyeu.lGtyoundre’s.w
+
+Bwuityhatepsatipmerobnaicaklsbfroomk ipneoapCleh,rwishtioanhabvoeofkosutonrde athnaetwI hliafevewtihthisCnhewrislti.feP.ersonally, I am very glad
+
+Pascal’s Bet:
+
+Does God exist or not?
+
+Letter to Andrew 4
+
+What are the chances? Blaise Pascal provides assistance
+
+DTheraeriAs na dbreetwt,ha*t surpasses every other: Pascal’s bet.
+
+WBlhaoisewaPsaBsclalisewPasascaanl?outstanding French mainthdeminahtiucimana,nphiysstiocriys.t aHned winavsena tcohr;ilad gprreoa-t dgeigoym. Aetlriecatdhyeoatretmhe, wagheicohf a1r1e hsteilldvevaliisdedtobdaasyic. Ldeavterl,ophiasnbdrifloliuantditnhtelplirgiennccipelesnaobfltehdehthimeotroy othfipnrkoibnagb, iwlihtyi.cHh eardeesvtislledvaplirdintcoidpaleys. for logical
+
+* AThnedrewasoanfte–r Athnedbreibwlilceadl AhinsdbrreowthienrJPoehtner1t:o40Je-s4u2s.
+
+Wwahsednelahyisedfabtyhetri,mwe-hconwsuams iangtacxalccuollalteicotnosr, PThloapsicmsawel nadsteavonefliotmhpepdmortothadenetfirnfrosctuacnlacdluacltuailtoaintignfogmr mtahcaehcidhneienvse.-. Pimaspcoarltmanatdethmeoarnemy .inAvetnt3i1onsyeanrsd odfevaegloephede dhfaeivtwhel,robptuedta wpdeaersfsneon’tnsaealbsfltaeaitehomicneonJmtesfpuolrsetCtehheirtCisthi.nrLciseattiaehnre, died at the age of 39.
+
+Thguaegemios dnearmn eadnadftsetrilhl ipmop–uPlarsccaol.mputer lanThGoids’sgreexaitstemnicnedatesatimfaiarte5d0:t5h0e. pHriosbtahboiluitgyhtosf, ktonroyw. n as “Pascal’s Bet” went down into his Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol
+
+Letter to Andrew 5
+
+How can one become completely free from addictions with God’s help?
+
+DTodeayr IAwnadntretwo !t*ell you about a 39-year-old tMrucnkichd-rGivermbayny,thwehonawmaneteodftoAkdioclkf tlhiveisnmgokiniangdhnaobtiht.inHgehsemhoakdetdri6ed0-h7a0dcwigoarketetde.sSeoveIryasdkaeyd, him:
+
+wfri“etWhe oftruholemdhyesomlupolokifkineGgot,odi,mkynmoouewdcihanotwegl,ey,t andwithnowithdrawalsymptoms?” YIesx,pinladineed.tHoehwimantheadttIockonuolwd.not help him, I
+
+cwohuoldisomnolyreshthoawnhwimillinthgeawndayabtoleGtohde; ltph.eAOdonlef acoccmeptledtelGyodde’lsivoeffredr.an1d4wdayssimlamtere,dhiaeteplyraayned tbheaetr. God would also free him from drinking Aoft tbheertimpeer, hdeayh. aGd obdeenlibderiantkedinghi1m0–f1r4ombotthleast addiction as well, and Adolf ’s doctor was amazed * AThnedrewasoanfte–r Athnedbreibwlilceadl AhinsdbrreowthienrJPoehtner1t:o40Je-s4u2s.
+
+ayteatrhelatseurd, dweinthimthperomveomneyntheinhhadis shaevaeldth, .AOdonlef eavnedndtaouogkhtaervs.acation in the USA with his wife Mspoankeyn paeosipmleplhe apvreaybeer,enbuftreIedwaanftedr thoavgiinvge Acodnovlifcstoiomne. Winfiothrmthatiisoin smo ihnedc, owueldrepardayawfietwh B“thNiabotlweifvtwehrieseais.kthaencyotnhifindgenacecotrhdaitngwetohHavies iwnilHl, iHme, hHeearesuwse.”s(e1eJaohpnro5m:1is4eNthKatJVG)odanswersprayers tbhearttahries.in harmony with His will. Let us rememW“aDnedortyehoaudt ntohoegteSktpnhioerwrit1othfCaGotoryidonudthwaireaelnlstshi3ne:1tyeo6mu-1?p7IlefNaonfKyGJoVonde: dFeofirlethsethtemtepmlepolefoGfoGdoids,hGoloy,dwhiilclhdetsetmropylehyimou. ainreg.”d–am“Waghinagt dto yourthienaklt?h”?I” a“sOkefdc,o“uIsrsem!”ohkea[Inshwaevreda.sk“Sedo, tihs essme oqkuinesgtiaonsisn?t”o“Yheusn!”dreds of
+
+sMmorkeetrhs,ananfdouarlmoislltionnopoenoeplreadcites envegraytiyvealyr.o–f diseases caused by smoking.]
+
+Jesus Christ
+
+Probability of Fulfillment 1:1017
+
+Letter to Andrew 8
+
+1. AObnoe:utpathrteiaclloytdhievsidoefdthaendcrpuacritfiiaeldly 2. lNmooatsnbwosnoelerdewiecoarsustlidgfonbroeriebt.drotkheen.coTmhemRaon-d apnrodpdhiedciwehs,atwwitahsoufotrkentolwdining tiht.e 3. Bweithra8yadleftoaril3s0. pieces of silver –
+
+* AThThnedrewasoanfte–r Athnedbreibwlilceadl AhinsdbrreowthienrJPoehtner1t:o40Je-s4u2s.
+
+TChruecPifiroepdhOencye about the Clothing of the
+
+be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which
+
+Andrew Letter 13
+
+Seize Life
+
+Through a personal relationship with God
+
+Dear Andrew,
+
+Assum(hineagrthattaycoku?,waecrceidtoendti?e),today weotuelrdnayloluifheawveiththJeesaussuCrhanricset?of FactsDwonil’lt hremlpayinouinfitnhdeadnaarkn!swer.
+
+1. God loves me!
+
+bpruotptihtiattiHone flovr eoduur ssianns.d” s1enJtohHnis4S:9on-1t0o NbeKtJhVe
+
+* Andrew, after the biblical Andrew in John 1,41.42.
+
+2. WGoedh!ave separated ourselves from
+
+theoyugshetpathraetyedcotuhldembselivneds epfreonmdenGt otdh.is Thwaey.
+
+– How?
+
+Andrew Letter 14
+
+Dear Andrew! without ApoCwherrisctaiannbleifceompared to a car without fuel.
+
+* Andrew, after the biblical Andrew in John 1,41.42.
+
+to eternal Life
+
+Z1
+
+1
+
+A Practical Tool
+
+For the book “Spirit-Filled Coworkers of Jesus”, chapters 7-10
+
+Dear Andreas
+
+By Helmut Haubeil
+
+With practical, tried and tested tools to lead people to Jesus
+
+S S t t a a r r t t e e r r S S etet A Relationship with Christ Letters to Andrew No. 1-5, 8, 13, 14, Z1
+
+203
+
+204
+
+STARTERSET – LETTERS TO ANDREW TO LEAD PEOPLE TO JESUS
+
+These letters to Andrew are the bridge to practical experience. These are tried and tested tools to lead people to Jesus. There are 12 advantages to use such a booklet, which are mentioned at chapter 7. They significantly facilitate important conversations about faith, both for the helper and the participant.
+
+This envelope contains one copy of each of the required letters. The illustrated design and the appealing content will please you. You will be happy to pass them on. You need a set for every person you want to lead to Jesus. You will experience great joy when you have been able to lead someone to Jesus.
+
+The envelope is intended for notes: when did I give which number? The usual order for passing distribution is:
+
+4 The bet of our life: Does God exist or not? ........................................... 205 1 Christian Faith put to the test ............................................................ 211 8 Prophecies about Jesus Christ – Probability of Fulfilment 1:1017 ........... 217
+
+2 Unique and beyound comparison: Jesus of Nazareth ............................ 223
+
+3 What is the main focus of the Bible? .................................................... 229
+
+13 Seize Life through a personal relationship with God ............................. 237 Z1 In addition: The Way to Eternal Life .................................................... 243 14 Life in God’s Strength – How? .............................................................. 247 5 Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol ........................................................ 256
+
+www.steps-to-personal-revival.info: Letters to Andrew
+
+The letters to Andrew can also be downloaded for free or be sent to someone from this
+
+website in English and German.
+
+* Andrew after the biblical Andrew in John 1:40-42. The reason – Andrew led his brother Peter to Jesus.
+
+Letter to Andrew 4
+
+Pascal’s Bet:
+
+Does God exist or not?
+
+What are the chances? Blaise Pascal provides assistance
+
+Dear Andrew,*
+
+There is a bet that surpasses every other:
+
+Pascal’s bet.
+
+Who was Blaise Pascal?
+
+Blaise Pascal was an outstanding French mathematician, physicist and inventor; a great mind in human history. He was a child prodigy. Already at the age of 11 he devised basic geometric theorem, which are still valid today.
+
+Later, his brilliant intelligence enabled him to develop and found the principles of the theory of probability. He devised principles for logical thinking, which are still valid today.
+
+When his father, who was a tax collector, was delayed by time-consuming calculations, Pascal developed the first calculating machine. This was an important foundation for the development of the modern calculating machines.
+
+Pascal made many inventions and developed important theorem. At 31 years of age he developed personal faith in Jesus Christ. Later, he wrote a defense statement for the Christian faith, but wasn’t able to complete it since he died at the age of 39.
+
+The modern and still popular computer language is named after him – Pascal.
+
+This great mind estimated the probability of God’s existence at a fair 50:50. His thoughts, known as “Pascal’s Bet” went down into history.
+
+205
+
+Is there a God? Is there no God?
+
+He once asked his friends the following question: You say: There is no God. I say: God does exist. If you are right and there is no God, what would happen to me? Nothing actually. I would die and that would be it. Maybe I might not have enjoyed everything that is seen as indispensable. But is that such a great loss?
+
+But if there is a God, then everything, literally everything, would be lost for you. You would die and would have to give account to God. Or do you think that God would put up with someone ignoring Him? Admittedly, you would have had everything here, nevertheless you would lose everything.
+
+Pascal’s pointed thought makes it clear what Jesus Christ said much earlier:
+
+“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
+
+The Bible says: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (Matthew 16:26; 1 John 5:12 NKJV)
+
+A Surgeon is against Faith
+
+Dr. Viggo Olsen, a well-known surgeon, encountered Blaise Pascal’s statements. He and his wife fought tooth and nail against the Christian faith. Together, they searched for all the arguments they could find and step by step they drifted into an unparalleled adventure. Dr. Olsen tells the story in his book: “The agnostic who dared to search.”
+
+What brought about a turning point?
+
+They found a living faith in Jesus Christ by reading the Bible. Blaise Pascal’s theory of probability and its application to the claim to truth of the biblical-Christian faith was also a crucial help. The so-called “Pascal’s bet”.
+
+(Note: It has to do with the foundation of the Christian faith according to the Bible and not with church traditions.)
+
+Pascal: The better choice
+
+The surgeon relates: “Blaise Pascal dealt indepth with the same choice that we have to make today.”
+
+He came to the conclusion that every sensible, thinking person had to make a decision for Jesus Christ, even when the chances of the Christian teachings being accurate were only 50:50. Here is his explanation:
+
+206 LETTER TO ANDREW 4
+
+PASCAL’S BET: DOES GOD EXIST OR NOT?
+
+Everyone has to bet
+
+In the game of life everyone has to place a bet. There is a stake for every bet. Each person has to either bet his life on the claim that the Christian teaching is true or on the claim that it isn’t true. When a person doesn’t place a bet, then he has automatically placed a bet on the possibility that it isn’t true.
+
+First Possibility
+
+Let’s assume that a person chooses the biblicalChristian faith: If his assumption is correct, then he has gained everything. If is assumption is incorrect, then he has nothing to lose.
+
+Second Possibility
+
+Let’s assume that a person decides AGAINST the Christian faith: If his assumption is correct, then he has gained nothing. If his assumption is incorrect, then he has lost everything.
+
+Further Considerations
+
+Dr. Olsen said about himself: “Since I used to be a passionate gambler, I was able to follow Pascal’s arguments. I said to my wife that his argument is based on a simple 50:50 chance that the Christian faith is right. However, Pascal doesn’t even take into consideration the countless evidence for the truth of the Christian teaching. Later, we discovered that Pascal did mention the search for proof after all.”
+
+Later, I will make a brief reference to evidence. Proof on one side or the other can be a great help to us in making the right and best decision.
+
+The principle of probability shows that it is important to make the effort to find the truth. Because this effort will be richly rewarded.
+
+Dr. Olsen continued: “During this time, I had a clear insight with regards to faith. I saw that millions of people call themselves Christians. But in reality, they aren’t true Christians, because their faith has become dull and diseased.” “‘Let’s assume’, I said to my wife, ‘that two patients are suffering from the same fatal disease. Both of them think I am a skillful doctor. They both believe my diagnosis is correct. They also believe that the shots I prescribed will save them from dying. One of them gets the shot and survives. The other, despite his trust in me and my treatment, has an illogical fear of shots and thus refuses it. He dies.’”
+
+207
+
+What is the difference?
+
+Both patients believed, both believed on the healing power of the medicine.
+
+But belief that doesn’t take possession, that isn’t expressed in actions, isn’t enough.
+
+Consider what we can win:
+
+› Forgiveness of our guilt by grace without merit.
+
+› A loving relationship with God.
+
+› A changed life with different wishes and goals.
+
+› A new inner strength for life.
+
+› Joyful eternal life in a completely different dimension.
+
+› We won’t be annihilated for eternity. (According to the Bible there is no eternal torment in hell.)
+
+Are there decision-making aids?
+
+Getting to know the evidence:
+
+Prophecies: The Bible is the only book that contains exact predictions for long periods of time. There are hundreds of fulfilled prophecies, which we can verify. They show clearly that the Bible is of divine origin, since humans have no such foreknowledge.
+
+The Bible itself is a miracle: This book about God’s way of salvation was written over a period of 1,600 years by 40 men and contains 66 books. The miracle is that the contents all agree.
+
+Archeological findings: The archeological finds have revealed an abundance of facts. Archeology confirms the Bible.
+
+Changed lives: Every individual can experience the power of God in his own life. He can have the assurance that his sins are forgiven. He can be certain of his own resurrection and eternal life. Every person can lead a life full of significance and meaning through Christ.
+
+I think it is good, if we don’t make any emotional decisions, but rather weigh the evidence.
+
+208 LETTER TO ANDREW 4 PASCAL’S BET: DOES GOD EXIST OR NOT?
+
+Getting to Know the Bible:
+
+Reading the Bible: It is important that we get to know the Bible ourselves. I recommend reading the New Testament first, since it is historically closer to our times and gives us insights into Jesus’ life here on earth. Afterwards, it is good to read the Old Testament. We should always pray before reading the Bible and should ask God to help us understand what we read.
+
+Bible Correspondence Course: There are good free Bible lesson courses for beginners and advanced people, which can help us to get to know the Bible. These courses can be done alone or together with someone else.
+
+Bible Discussion Group: This is a good opportunity to discuss the Bible in a small familial setting. Today, it is also possible to take part in Bible discussions online, i.e. Skype.
+
+Bible Lectures: This is also a good possibility to gain basic understanding of God’s word.
+
+Doubters: People, who have honest questions, can get help so that they can make a good decision. One possibility is to pray in the following sense:
+
+“Great God, is You really exist, then please help me to perceive You.”
+
+The exact wording doesn’t matter, but rather that we are sincere. Jesus said that anyone who is willing to do God’s will, will be bestowed with understanding (John 7:17). However, a person who deliberately doubts can’t be helped by anyone – neither by God nor by people.
+
+Rational human beings occupy themselves increasingly with the Bible. But they make a minor difference. A moderator said it like this: “I don’t have anything against God, but I do have a lot against His ‘ground crew’.”
+
+Many reckon that there must be something about God. They ask: Could I thereby find the meaning of life?
+
+You have everything to win or everything to lose. It is your decision. The bet counts ...
+
+With warm greetings,
+
+Helmut
+
+Hilfreich war „Kann man Gott entfliehen“ von Dr. Viggo Olsen, Schulte-Verlag 1973 mit Genehmigung Gerth-Verlag.
+
+209
+
+Prayer
+
+Further Letters to Andrew, which feature evidence in favor of God’s existence and the Bible:
+
+Letter to Andrew 6: What does the future hold?
+
+› The shortest world history was written 2,600 years ago. It shows us “what will be in the latter days”.
+
+› Of the six predictions, five have already been fulfilled.
+
+› Will Europe achieve political unity? What is still to come?
+
+Letter to Andrew 7: Prevention or healing?
+
+› From whom does the science of preventive medicine stem? › Who helped to save millions of people’s lives?
+
+Letter to Andrew 8: Prophecies about Jesus Christ
+
+› Probability of fulfillment 1:1017 according to human criteria
+
+› But the prophecies were precisely fulfilled and strengthen our faith.
+
+Letter to Andrew 9: Prophecies about four cities
+
+› Which were literally fulfilled although the mathematical probability is 1:200 trillion. – The Golden Gate of Jerusalem
+
+– The strange rock city of Petra
+
+– The legendary Babylon
+
+– The rise and fall of Tyre
+
+210 LETTER TO ANDREW 4 PASCAL’S BET: DOES GOD EXIST OR NOT?
+
+Letter to Andrew 1
+
+Christian Faith put to the Test
+
+Everything hinges on honestly answering three questions.
+
+Dear Andrew,*
+
+I am happy that you want to establish clarity about God, Jesus Christ and the Bible. I will gladly attempt to help by drawing your attention to a few fundamental facts.
+
+Today, the youth and thinking people are occupying themselves more and more with the Bible. But they make one fine distinction. A moderator put it like this: “I don’t have anything against God, but I do have a lot against His ‘ground crew’ – the church.”
+
+Today, many sense that there must be something about God after all. They ask: Could they find deeper meaning and purpose in life with Him? Contemporary people want to know the facts. They want to know what it will profit them. And I have to say: They are right.
+
+The Christian faith hinges on honestly answer three questions: God, Jesus, Bible!
+
+1.Does a living, all-knowing and allpowerful God exist, who loves humans?
+
+2. Is Jesus of Nazareth really the Redeemer sent by God?
+
+3. Was the Bible or Holy Scriptures really written by people under God’s authority or is it merely a human product?
+
+There are very satisfactory answers to these fundamental questions.
+
+I want to show you a way you can find the answers for yourself. It is better if you convince yourself than if I try to do that. Maybe you aren’t acquainted yet with the method I am referring to.
+
+The Bible contains many predictions. They are called prophecies. Hundreds of them have been fulfilled. We can acquaint ourselves with them and verify them. I am sure that you are
+
+211
+
+acquainted with some of them. But maybe I can show you a new aspect now.
+
+One group of predictions is called “messianic prophecies”, which refer to the first coming of Jesus about 2,000 years ago. “Messiah” comes from Hebrew. We are more familiar with the Greek form: “Christus”. Translated it means: savior, redeemer, anointed, rescuer. This group of prophecies contains 333 details. We can discover them easily.
+
+But what does this have to do with the answers to our three great questions? You will understand in a moment.
+
+The apostle Peter said in the Bible in 2 Peter 1:21 (NIV):
+
+“... prophets ... spoke from God.”
+
+To translate Peter: The Bible is based on divine revelation. If this is so, then Christian faith is from God, provided that it conforms with the Bible.
+
+But how can we ascertain for ourselves if the Christian faith is from God?
+
+Verify what the apostle Peter said. But how can you do that?
+
+Compare the predictions of the prophets with events that took place later. The correlations show you that the predictions were true. At the same time, does it mean that the prophets got their information from God?
+
+Exactly that is the crucial point.
+
+No human can know things beforehand. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Naturally, we can guess what will happen tomorrow. We also know what we want to do. Let’s take the weather forecast as an example. Is this knowing something beforehand? No, it is a calculation of what the weather will be based on current factors. Because these factors are variable, the forecast is not always correct.
+
+The predictions about Jesus were made by multiple prophets between 400 and 1,500 years before He came. These predictions contain precise details, which were exactly fulfilled. No human has such abilities – neither then nor today. But there is SOMEONE, who knows everything exactly beforehand. The Bible calls this someone GOD.
+
+Think about our elections! Even on the morning of the elections no one knows beforehand
+
+212 LETTER TO ANDREW 1
+
+CHRISTIAN FAITH PUT TO THE TEST
+
+who is going to win. The projections are only a conclusion from a poll of certain people. These people are asked who they will vote for and then conclusions are drawn. This is a calculation, not a prediction.
+
+God said through the prophet Isaiah in the Bible in chapter 46, verses 9 and 10:
+
+“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
+
+The prophecies are the divine validation of the Bible. NO ONE CAN IMITATE THAT.
+
+If you should find a book with similar prophecies to the ones in the Bible about Jesus Christ, which were given centuries before in detail, then you can get US $ 5,000 from an American. As of yet, no one has found such a book.
+
+These facts cannot be counterfeited by anyone, because science has since produced an abundance of evidence for this.
+
+The further the sciences get, the more powerful the divinity of the prophecies and the Bible emerges. WHAT DOES THIS SHOW US?
+
+1. There is someone who knows the future in every detail centuries beforehand. He is all-knowing. What He reveals, happens. Nobody can change it. This ONE is allpowerful. He has revealed Himself to us, because He loves us. You can also personally experience this.
+
+2. The Bible writers were, however well meaning, incapable of making these predictions through contemplation or coincidence. Hence, the Bible can only be from God. There is no other possibility.
+
+3. Every person can be distinguished from others through certain features. A letter from Japan reaches you, when the country, town, street, house number and your name are specified. The 333 details in the prophecies about Christ imply that God has endowed Jesus with as many features. Among all people these features apply to only one being – Jesus of Nazareth. Therefore, we know that only He is the Redeemer sent by God.
+
+213
+
+First example:
+
+In the Bible, in the Old Testament, from the prophet Micah, chapter 5, verse 2 (NKJV) it says:
+
+“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
+
+The prophet Micah lived about 700 years before Christ. He indicates that a little-known village will be the birthplace. This prophecy was clearly understood. We can read about the fulfillment in the New Testament in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, verses 3-6 (NKJV):
+
+“... Herod ... inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem ... for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
+
+A birthplace is indisputable. A few questions about this prophecy: Did Micah just make a good guess? Was the exact fulfillment 700 years later just a coincidence? Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth. They had to go to Bethlehem. Back then it would have been a four-day trip with a donkey or by foot. Why this great exertion just before having a baby? Caesar Augustus had commanded a census be taken.
+
+Everyone had to go to the place of the origin of their lineage. This should have taken place earlier. But the Jews didn’t want this census. They had sent a delegation to Rome. The emperor dismissed their objections. Hence, the census was delayed. The famous British chemist and archeologist, Sir William Ramsay, discovered a Roman inscription in 1923, which mentions this measure. Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem at exactly the right moment for Jesus’ birth. A precise fulfillment.
+
+This isn’t something a person can guess. Also, a person can’t know something like this 700 years beforehand. How did Micah know this? There is only one possibility:
+
+“... prophets ... spoke from God.”
+
+Micah knew it from an all-knowing God. Can you think of another possibility? Can you prophesy where the man (or woman) will be born, who will govern Germany in 700 years? (... if the world still exists.) Do you know of anyone else, who can give this kind of information, which will really come to pass? That was only one example. You can find many more yourself. When you read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) in the New Testament, then you will frequently find similar expressions to the one in Matthew 2, verse 5:
+
+“... for thus it is written by the prophet.”
+
+Many Bibles also include a reference to the text in the Old Testament where the prophecy is. Bible translators added these so that we can more easily find the connections. Remember:
+
+214 LETTER TO ANDREW 1 CHRISTIAN FAITH PUT TO THE TEST
+
+The messianic prophecies are always in the Old Testament and it was already completed 400 years before Christ. This means that all these prophecies were made at least 400 years beforehand. Under these circumstances, I think that is isn’t important to know that Micah lived approximately 700 years before Christ, David about 1000 years before Christ, etc.
+
+Since the New Testament was written after Jesus lived on this earth, you will find all the fulfillments of the prophecies there. If you don’t have much time, then read at least the gospel of Matthew, which contains the most examples.
+
+Here is a list of some more prophecies about Jesus:
+
+› He would come from the tribe of Judah.
+
+› He would be a descendant of David.
+
+› A herald would announce his coming.
+
+› He would die by crucifixion.
+
+› Lots would be cast for His clothes and then divided.
+
+› His bones would not be broken.
+
+› His side would be pierced.
+
+› His substitutionary death.
+
+Every detail was fulfilled in His life, death and resurrection.
+
+These are only a few of the 333 prophesied details.
+
+The only person to ever have their life story written beforehand
+
+is Jesus Christ.
+
+He was the greatest man to ever walk this earth.
+
+Dr. Olinthus Gregory said that if only 50 prophecies had “coincidentally” been fulfilled (instead of hundreds), then this “coincidence” would be 1:1 trillion 125 billion. In numbers: 1:1,125,000,000,000,000
+
+Whoever knows this, will never again speak of a coincidental fulfillment of biblical prophecies. Peter said:
+
+“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed ...” (2 Peter 1:19) NKJV
+
+F. J. Meldau, who studied all of the messianic prophecies, said:
+
+“A person is truly blind if they can’t or don’t want to see that the eternal Spirit planned all these details and the hand of the Omnipotent accomplished His perfect plan.”
+
+The all-knowing God doesn’t expect blind trust from us. He gave us good reasons to trust Him. The opportunity to get to know prophecies, gives our faith a solid foundation to trust God, Jesus Christ and the Bible.
+
+215
+
+216
+
+LETTER TO ANDREW 1 CHRISTIAN FAITH PUT TO THE TEST
+
+A summary for today:
+
+1. There is a living, all-knowing and all-powerful God, who has revealed Himself among other ways through prophecies.
+
+2. The Bible can only originate from God, since humans aren’t capable of making prophecies like these in such detail centuries beforehand.
+
+3. Jesus of Nazareth is the only one, who was verified through the unparalleled messianic prophecies as our Redeemer. We can and may trust Him completely.
+
+Jesus Himself spoke about the purpose of prophecies:
+
+“And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.” (John 14:29 NKJV)
+
+I am glad that you will think about these fundamental questions of biblical/Christian faith.
+
+With warm greetings,
+
+Helmut
+
+May I recommend some other Letters to Andrew about prophecies to you?
+
+Letter to Andrew 6: What does the future hold?
+
+› The shortest world history was written 2,600 years ago. It shows us “what will be in the latter days”. › Of the six predictions, five have already been fulfilled.
+
+› Will Europe achieve political unity? What is still to come?
+
+Letter to Andrew 8: Prophecies about Jesus Christ
+
+› Probability of fulfillment 1:1017
+
+› About the clothes of the crucified One: partially dividing them and partially lots were cast for them.
+
+› None of His bones were broken. The Roman soldiers ignored the command and did what had been foretold, without knowing it.
+
+› Betrayal for 30 pieces of silver along with eight other details. Letter to Andrew 9: Prophecies about four cities
+
+›
+
+which were literally fulfilled although the mathematical probability is 1:200 trillion. – The Golden Gate of Jerusalem
+
+– The strange rock city of Petra
+
+– The legendary Babylon
+
+– The rise and fall of Tyre.
+
+Prophecies about Jesus Christ
+
+Dear Andrew!*
+
+Today, I am writing to you about three remarkable prophecies. At the end, I will go into greater detail about the probability for eight messianic prophecies, according to human wisdom, being 1:1017.
+
+1.About the clothes of the crucified One: partially divided and partially lots were cast for it.
+
+2. No bone would be broken. The Roman soldiers ignored the command and did what was foretold in the prophecies, without knowing it.
+
+3. Betrayal for 30 pieces of silver – with 8 details.
+
+The Prophecy about the Clothing of the Crucified One
+
+King David of Israel, who was also a prophet, said in God’s name about a 1000 years before Christ what they would do with the clothes of the crucified:
+
+Prophecy:
+
+“They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” (Psalm 22:18 NKJV )
+
+How was this prophecy fulfilled a 1000 years later? The apostle John tells about it in John 19:23-24 NKJV:
+
+Fulfillment:
+
+“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which
+
+Probability of Fulfillment 1:1017
+
+Letter to Andrew 8
+
+217
+
+says: ‘They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.’ Therefore the soldiers did these things.”
+
+Remarkable details are related here. Jesus’ clothes were supposed to be dealt with in various manners:
+
+1. they divide my garments among them 2. they cast lots for my clothing
+
+There was a sentinel of four guards beneath the cross. They divided Jesus’ clothing amongst themselves. Each of them got a piece. But one piece remained: the outer garment. They wanted to divide it into four parts, so that each person got a piece. But they noticed that it was woven out of one piece of cloth. That was valuable. The soldiers thought that if they cut it up, each person would only have a piece of cloth. Its real value would be destroyed. And so they said: “It is better is one person gets the outer garment, rather than just a piece of cloth.” How did they solve this problem? They cast lots. It happened just like it had been prophesied a thousand years beforehand.
+
+Observe the exact fulfillment of the biblical prediction.
+
+The number of soldiers beneath the cross was the same as the number of pieces of clothing Jesus had. Only one was left over.
+
+And the soldiers divided up the pieces in just the way that it was foretold.
+
+Could we foretell a thousand years beforehand what would happen to a certain person? Would we know how many pieces of clothing he would be wearing? And how many soldiers would be there? David couldn’t have possessed this knowledge himself. There is only one possibility: God revealed it to him.
+
+The prophecy that no bone would be broken of the crucified one
+
+The first reference was given by Moses about 1,300 years beforehand.
+
+First Prophecy:
+
+“In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.” (2. Mose (Exodus) 12,46)
+
+This text is talking about the institution of the Passover feast just before the exodus from Egypt. It is referring to the Passover lamb. This lamb was a symbol for the coming redeemer. Remember that when Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized by immersion in the Jordan, that John said:
+
+“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NKJV)
+
+218
+
+LETTER TO ANDREW 8 PROPHECIES ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
+
+Second Prophecy:
+
+The next reference in this context was given by King David about 300 years later. This was still a 1000 years before it was fulfilled.
+
+David was acquainted with the writings of Moses. But he said that what Moses said about the lamb was about a person, a righteous person:
+
+“He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:20 NKJV)
+
+Fulfilment:
+
+“Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.” (John 19:31-33 NKJV)
+
+The preparation day, which is mentioned here, is the day before Sabbath (Saturday) – so Friday. It is called the preparation day in the Bible, because the preparations for the Sabbath were made on this day. In this case, it is the day we call Good Friday today. It is the day that Jesus was crucified.
+
+The Jews requested something from Pilate. The people that were crucified shouldn’t hang on the crosses on the Sabbath. That is why they asked for their legs to be broken so that they would die more quickly.
+
+Pilate granted their request. This contradicted what the Bible had prophesied: Not one of His bones would be broken.
+
+Assuming that you had been in Jerusalem on this occasion and had known about the prophecy, would you have cared a straw if it was fulfilled? The Roman soldiers were ordered to break the legs. They started their job. First, they broke the legs of one of the men that had been crucified and then the legs of the one on the other side of Jesus. It was odd that they went around Jesus. Were they maybe hesitant? Did they have a hunch who Jesus was?
+
+When they came to Jesus, they found that He was already dead. Hence, the execution of the command became redundant. And so contrary to the order, Jesus’ thighbones were not broken. Why? What had God said through David a thousand years beforehand and through Moses over 1300 years beforehand?
+
+“He [God] guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalm 34:20 NKJV)
+
+219
+
+This prophecy was precisely fulfilled. But now comes something surprising. The soldiers did something without any orders. And what they did without any orders was prophesied about 500 years beforehand by the prophet Zechariah. Let’s read further in John 19:34-37:
+
+Third Prophecy:
+
+“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen [this was the disciple John] has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘Not one of His bones shall be broken.’ (Exodus 12:46) And again another Scripture says, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced. (Zechariah 12:10)’”
+
+Without an order, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus in the side to make sure He was really dead. The soldiers determined that He was dead, because the blood had already decomposed.
+
+Bear in mind was happened here:
+
+Three prophets made predictions, which were fulfilled to the letter. Moses 1,300 years beforehand, David 1,000 beforehand and Zechariah 500 years beforehand. These three men, who were separated by centuries and didn’t know each other, made congruent predictions.
+
+How did they know that? Was it a probability calculation? Was it a coincidence? There is only one reasonable conclusion: The revelations that they received all came from the same source. And this One was always there throughout these centuries. God is from everlasting to everlasting. He revealed it to them. There is no other conclusion.
+
+Prophecy: Christ would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.
+
+First Prophecy:
+
+“Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” (Prophesied by David about 1,000 years beforehand in Psalm 41:9 NKJV)
+
+The following prophecy was made by the prophet Zechariah about 500 years before it was fulfilled. It is found in Zechariah 11:1213.
+
+220 LETTER TO ANDREW 8
+
+PROPHECIES ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
+
+Second Prophecy:
+
+“Then I said to them, ‘If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.’ So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter‘ – that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter.”
+
+It is reported in Matthew 10:4 and Matthew 27:1-10 what took place 1,000 or 500 years later.
+
+Fulfillment:
+
+“... Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.” “When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!’ Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.’ And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.’”
+
+All eight details were fulfilled, although it was impossible from a human perspective:
+
+1. Christ would be betrayed.
+
+2. He would be betrayed by a friend.
+
+3. The traitor’s wages would be 30 pieces of silver.
+
+4. The “princely price” was the price for a foreign slave.
+
+5. The money pieces were of silver.
+
+6. They would be thrown, not laid down somewhere or given to someone.
+
+7. The place they would be thrown would be the temple.
+
+8. The money wouldn’t be left there, but rather would be given to a craftsman (to buy a field).
+
+There were so many possibilities by every single point. God in His omniscience knew thousands of years beforehand what would happen. He foretold these things so that we could see His hand in the fulfillment and our trust in Him would be strengthened.
+
+221
+
+Professor Stoner’s Results
+
+The scientist, Peter Stoner, looks at eight messianic prophecies in his book Science Speaks and shows “that according to mathematical probability calculations a coincidence is impossible”. He says: “... we can therefore see that the chance of eight prophecies being fulfilled about a random person (from then till now) is 1:1017.” That is a one with 17 zeros = 1:100,000,000,000,000,000.
+
+(Die Bibel im Test, Josh McDowell, CLV 2002, Seite 250-1)
+
+Stoner continues: “These prophecies were either given through God’s inspiration or the prophets wrote them at their own discretion. In such a case, the prophets would have only had one chance in 1:1017, that all these things would be fulfilled with one person; but they were all fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
+
+Further Letters to Andrew about prophecies. You will enjoy learning about them.
+
+Letter to Andrew 1: Christian faith put to the test
+
+› Everything hinges on answering three questions.
+
+Letter to Andrew 6: What does the future hold?
+
+› The shortest world history was written 2,600 years ago. It shows us “what will be in the latter days”.
+
+› Of the six predictions, five have already been fulfilled.
+
+› Will Europe achieve political unity? What is still to come?
+
+Letter to Andrew 9: Prophecies about four cities
+
+› Which were literally fulfilled although the mathematical probability is 1:200 trillion. – The Golden Gate of Jerusalem
+
+– The legendary Babylon
+
+– The strange rock city of Petra
+
+– The rise and fall of Tyre.
+
+This means that the fulfillment alone of these eight prophecies proves that God with certainty inspired the writings of these prophets, which misses absoluteness with only a chance in 1:1017.”
+
+Stones then takes into account 48 prophecies and says: “...we see that the chance of fulfillment of all 48 prophecies with one person comes to 1:10157.”
+
+I am so glad that you are so interested in studying proof of the divine inspiration of the Bible.
+
+With warm greetings,
+
+Helmut
+
+222 LETTER TO ANDREW 8 PROPHECIES ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
+
+Letter to Andrew 2
+
+JESUS of Nazareth
+
+The greatest figure in the history of the world – unique and unparalleled
+
+Dear Andrew,*
+
+Today, I am writing to you about Jesus. Naturally you know His name. Everyone knows it. But I am sure you would be interested in getting to know Jesus better. Everyone acquainted with His life’s circumstances, confirm that He is the greatest figure that ever lived. Why is this?
+
+Jesus was born in an unknown village by a hitherto unknown woman. He grew up in a different village. Already at 12 years of age He was able to hold His own with the greatest teachers and thinkers of His time. Nevertheless, He worked until 30 years of age as a carpenter. After that He traveled around Israel as an itinerant preacher for 3 1⁄2 years.
+
+What impact did Jesus’ life have?
+
+Phillips Brooks said: “I am not mistaken when I say all of the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one solitary life – the life of Jesus Christ.”
+
+William Edward Hartpole Lecky, an unbelieving, outstanding historian said: “The character of Jesus has not only been the highest pattern of virtue, but the longest incentive in its practice, and has exerted so deep an influence, that it may be truly said that the simple record of three short years of active life has done more to regenerate and to soften mankind than all the disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortations of moralists.”
+
+› Jesus wasn’t an author and yet more books have been written about Him than any other person.
+
+› He wasn’t a historian and yet He became the central figure of history. The date on every newspaper and letter affirms this.
+
+223
+
+› Jesus wasn’t an artist and yet the greatest masterpieces of painters, sculptors and musicians have been devoted to Him.
+
+› Jesus wasn’t a lawyer and yet His law of love is the best in the world.
+
+› Jesus wasn’t a doctor and yet He was the greatest doctor, who could heal any disease.
+
+› Jesus wasn’t a psychologist and yet everyone came to Him for advice. An eminent psychologist said: “If we were to burn all the straw among the psychological works, then what was left wouldn’t be nearly enough to come close to the Sermon on the Mount.”
+
+› Jesus wasn’t married, nevertheless no one can give better advice on how to have a happy marriage than He can.
+
+Why is Jesus and His successful life so unique? Why isn’t there anyone with whom He could be compared?
+
+A Christian would answer without hesitation: Because He was God, the Son of God, who became a human. It was an exciting fact for the disciples that God became human in Jesus Christ in order to save us just as the prophecies had said centuries beforehand. You certainly remember the unparalleled miracle of the messianic prophecies. God accredited Jesus of Nazareth with 333 identifiers. Interestingly
+
+enough not a single false messiah has ever dared to lay claim to these prophecies.
+
+It was prophesied that Christ is “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), that He, who was born in Bethlehem, is “from everlasting” (Micah 5:2), and that He would be called: “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)”.
+
+Who did Jesus say that He was?
+
+He confirmed that He was the Christ, who the prophecies had heralded (Matthew 11:1-6; Matthew 16:16-17; Luke 4:17-21; John 4:2526 i. a.).
+
+Jesus was asked under oath at His interrogation before the Sanhedrin:
+
+“Tell us if you are the Christ, the son of God!”
+
+(Matthew 26:63-64 NKJV). Jesus answered:
+
+“It is as you said.”
+
+The Jews clearly understood Jesus’ claim to be the matchless Son of God. Because they charged Him that as a human, He was making Himself into God (John 10:33).
+
+He said: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18 NKJV) and “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8 NKJV)
+
+224 LETTER TO ANDREW 2 JESUS OF NAZARETH
+
+What did eyewitnesses say about Jesus?
+
+John Montgomery, historian, said: “What, then, does a historian know about Jesus Christ? He knows, first and foremost, that the New Testament documents can be relied upon to give an accurate portrait of Him.” – What do the eyewitnesses report there?
+
+Johannes der Täufer testified that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God (John 1:34). According to John, Jesus was supposed to take away the sins of the world, something that only God can do (John 1:29).
+
+Petrus declared that Jesus the Christ is the Son of the living God (John 6:68).
+
+Martha, Lazarus’ sister, testified the same thing (John 11:27).
+
+Thomas, was reluctant at first to acknowledge the fact of Christ’s resurrection, but ultimately when he stood before the living Christ: “... said to Him, My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NKJV)
+
+The apostle John testified of Jesus’ divinity with the following words: “This is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 NKJV) He calls our attention to the fact that the biblical reports have the following objective: “... but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31 NKJV)
+
+The Roman centurion, who was in charge of the soldiers at Jesus’ crucifixion, also testified of Jesus’ divinity. He said:
+
+“Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54 NKJV)
+
+Paul rebelled at first with all his might against Christ. He did everything he could to kill the followers of Jesus. But after his personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he became a zealous disciple of Jesus and declared about Christ: “... who is over all, the eternally blessed God.” (Romans 9:5 NKJV) He testified of Him: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” By that he means that Christ possesses all of the divine traits in full measure.
+
+What does history say about Jesus?
+
+Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian observed: “About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. ... He was the Christ.
+
+And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him.”
+
+Cornelius Tacitus mentioned: “Christus, the founder of the name, had undergone the death penalty in the reign of Tiberius, by sentence of the procurator Pontius Pilatus ...”
+
+Johann Wolfgang von Goethe recognized that: “If ever divinity appeared on this earth, then it was in the person Jesus.”
+
+J.-J. Rousseau wrote: “If Socrates lived and died like a philosopher, Jesus lived and died like a god.”
+
+225
+
+Ernest Renan, the famous orientalist and critic, made a remarkable confession:
+
+“No matter what the future may bring, it will never surpass Jesus.”
+
+What conclusions did genuine sceptics make, when they examined the facts?
+
+General L. Wallace had an animated discussion with a well-known atheist about the absurdity of Christianity. Wallace decided to write a book to prove that Christianity was senseless and that Jesus Christ had never lived. For years he collected material for his book. He soon realized that Jesus Christ had really lived.
+
+Then he came to the conclusion that Christ was more than a historical figure. When he was 50 years old, he knelt down and prayed for the first time in his life. He asked Christ to be his Lord and Savior. – With the material he had collected he then wrote the famous story Ben Hur.
+
+Sir William Ramsay became famous for his research about antiquity. He was convinced that the Bible was unreliable. He was a chemist and archeologist and went to the orient to establish the truth. He remained there for 15 years. He returned as a devote Christian and wrote many books, which fostered the Christian faith and trust in the Bible.
+
+Frank Morison, an English journalist, wanted to prove that Jesus’ resurrection was a myth. His research led him to the conclusion that he was dealing with facts. As a result, he became a devoted Christian.
+
+Prof. Dr. Cyril M. Joad, dean of the philosophy faculty at the University of London, was also a sceptic, who was of the opinion that Jesus was only a human. He believed that there was no such thing as sin. But a dramatic change took place in his life. He now believed that sin was a reality. Two world wars had shown him that humans are sinners. He came to the realization that the only explanation for sin can be found in the word of God and that the only solution for sin was the cross of Christ. He became a diligent follower of Jesus.
+
+Giovanni Papini, a famous Italian atheist, also became a devote Christian after he started to study the New Testament.
+
+He even went on to write a book about the life of Jesus.
+
+Adolf Deißmann, a great German researcher, went to the Orient to demonstrate the untrustworthiness of the Bible. Because of the facts, he also became a devoted Christian and theologian. His book, “Light from the Ancient East”, verifies the truthfulness of the Bible.
+
+This list could be continued for quite a while with similar people, who couldn’t oppose the facts.
+
+226 LETTER TO ANDREW 2 JESUS OF NAZARETH
+
+Prof. Josh McDowell – After the second World War he preached Christ for 27 years in more than 500 universities in 52 countries to more than 3.5 million academics and students. He wrote:
+
+“I didn’t find a single person, insofar as they sincerely studied the evidence, who would have contested that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the world. The evidence of Jesus’ divinity is overwhelming for every honest and unbiased seeker of truth.”
+
+What do you think of the following thought? Assuming that we would meet someone, who knows nothing about the Christian faith and would ask him:
+
+What would you expect from God, if He came to the earth as a human?
+
+His answers could be as follows:
+
+› I would expect that God would be an exceptional type of person.
+
+› I would expect that as a human He would not do the slightest wrong.
+
+› I would expect that he would stand above the laws of nature and would perform miracles.
+
+› I would expect that He had a better character than everyone else.
+
+› I would expect that He would give the greatest teachings there ever were.
+
+› I would expect that He would exert an ongoing and universal influence.
+
+› I would expect that He could satisfy our deep desire for God.
+
+› I would expect that He had power over death.
+
+› I would expect that He would be able to help me when I asked Him.
+
+Jesus met all these expectations in every detail.
+
+What benefit is this all to me?
+
+Since Jesus lives, He is able to have an influence over our lives if we want Him to. Saul, a fierce enemy, became the greatest Christian missionary. The fearful Simon became the courageous Peter; the hotheaded John became the apostle of love.
+
+Yes, Christ gives us life in abundance, fulfillment, forgiveness and peace. Getting to know Jesus Christ personally is the greatest enrichment of your life. Because that is the heart of the gospel. Gospel means: “good news”, “glad tidings”. It is indeed the best news for you and me, because we both need Christ.
+
+We will talk more about this next time. Wouldn’t you like to read more about Jesus in the gospels in the meantime?
+
+227
+
+Maybe you could read this letter together with some friends and discuss it or you could pass this letter on to someone else.
+
+Siegfried Buchholz, a sales director, professed: “Jesus is the most exceptional and fascinating
+
+person I have ever gotten to know.” (Hörzu)
+
+I hope you also experience the joy of personally getting to know Jesus, the Son of God.
+
+With warm greetings,
+
+Helmut
+
+Further Letters to Andrew about Jesus Christ:
+
+Letter to Andrew 1: Christian faith put to the test
+
+› Everything hinges on answering three questions.
+
+Letter to Andrew 3: What is the main focus of the Bible?
+
+› 98 % have a false perception about what the Bible wants and what the heart of its message is.
+
+Letter to Andrew 8: Prophecies about Jesus Christ
+
+› Probability of fulfillment 1:1017
+
+› About the clothes of the crucified One: partially dividing them and partially lots were cast for them.
+
+› None of His bones were broken. The Roman soldiers ignored the command and did what had been foretold, without knowing it.
+
+› Betrayal for 30 pieces of silver along with eight other details.
+
+228 LETTER TO ANDREW 2 JESUS OF NAZARETH
+
+Letter to Andrew 3
+
+What is the Bible’s main objective?
+
+The Bible is the most significant and most widely read book in the world literature.
+
+98% of the people have a mistaken perception of what the Bible wants and what its core messages is.
+
+Dear Andrew,*
+
+Interest in the Bible is growing. In the past year 561 million biblical writings were distributed worldwide. In German-speaking countries about 8 million people read often or regularly in the Bible.
+
+Today, I am writing about the main objective of the Bible. Dr. James Kennedy estimates that 98% have a mistaken perception of the Bible’s main objective. That is why I am writing to you about this in detail. Then, you can explain it more easily to others.
+
+The Bible’s main objective is to give us an answer to the question:
+
+How can a person receive new, eternal life?
+
+Jesus Christus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+Many have the desire to get something from life. However, Jesus Christ wants to not only give us something from life, but also a rich and fulfilled life. This life has to do with love, joy, freedom, security and sure hope.
+
+This new life has positive effects on scholastics, career, friendship, marriage, family, health and our future. And this new life according to God’s will be carried on in a completely new dimension for all eternity.
+
+229
+
+Buy a paperback book in a Christian bookstore with testimonials from people, who have found a new life with Christ. Personally, I am very glad that I have this new life.
+
+On what basis does God give a new life?
+
+We can find the answer in the “gospel”, which means “good news” or “glad tidings”. You will quickly realize why this message makes you happy. It is the best news people have ever heard.
+
+Imagine that you would die today and you would have to give God an answer to the following question: “Why do you expect eternal life from Me?” What would you answer? Frequent answers are:
+
+› Because I kept the commandments ... › Because I did good ...
+
+› Because I led a respectable life ...
+
+Many think that if they do this or that, then they will receive eternal life in return. I recommend every person to keep God’s commandments, to do good and to lead a respectable life. But the idea of receiving new life in return is totally wrong. The Bible teaches the opposite: A new life is a gift of love from God. There is no way that we can earn a new life. Not even by suffering. When I realized this, I was very happy. I will tell you why a little later – also about what importance good works have.
+
+Some may ask: Is doing good in vain then? By no means. God values every good deed. But we can’t earn eternal life with them. God gives new life to those who trust Him on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice.
+
+A sacrificial death for someone else can only happen out of love. Love can be reciprocated, but it can’t be earned.
+
+Thankfully, we can’t earn a new life.
+
+Otherwise the rich, powerful, intelligent and healthy would be favored. Others would have a disadvantage. Furthermore, we would live in constant fear whether we had done enough or if our deeds had been solely done out of pure and good motives. Even if we were able from now on to balance the “scale”, then the question would still remain about our past.
+
+If we had to earn eternal life and took it really seriously, then we would end up with a nervous breakdown or in despair. There was someone who took it very seriously. He broke down in the process. You know him.
+
+It was the then Augustinian monk Martin Luther. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV:
+
+“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
+
+How much do you have to pay for receiving a gift? Isn’t it an insult to want to pay for a gift? I once asked the children in my religion class how much they had paid for the Christmas gifts they had received. One child answered: “We didn’t need to pay anything, but we thanked our parents for them.”
+
+We should do the same with God’s gift: Accept it and express our thanks by the way we live. Have you thought enough about God’s splendid gift of love and goodness?
+
+230 LETTER TO ANDREW 3 WHAT IS THE BIBLE’S MAIN OBJECTIVE?
+
+Why do we need a new life?
+
+Because we lost the original life through sin. What is sin? At the deepest level it is indifference towards or rebellion against God. According to God’s diagnosis, who has sinned? Everyone – including you and me:
+
+“There is none righteous, no, not one. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10,23 NKJV )
+
+However, today many people don’t consider themselves sinners.
+
+I remember a conversation I had with a young businessman. He permitted me to ask him a few questions. Amongst other questions, I asked him if he was a sinner. He laughed out loud: “No, I take care of my family. I do my job at the company. I don’t smoke or drink.”
+
+He permitted me to ask him another question: “Have you ever committed adultery?” “Yes, I have.” He didn’t consider himself a sinner. He was just deceiving himself. He was using the head-in-the-sand policy.
+
+The secretary of a Christian director was convinced that she wasn’t a sinner.
+
+He asked her once: “Could it be that you think, say or do something wrong once a day?” The young woman answered in the affirmative after thinking for a few moments. The director continued: “Could it even be that you think, say or do something wrong two or three times a day?”
+
+Her answer: “It definitely happens three times a day.” Her boss calculated for her: “Three sins a day makes a good 1,000 sins a year. If we don’t count the first ten years of your life, then you already have 15,000 sins.” An unusual calculation.
+
+What consequences does sin have?
+
+The Bible says: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God.” (Isaiah 59:2 NKJV) And “... the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23 NKJV)
+
+God’s verdict for sin is the death sentence. We can even understand this. If death wasn’t the consequence of sin, then sin would always continue to exist. If a world without selfishness, hate, war and misery should ever again exist, then sin has to be completely exterminated. The only way is death.
+
+We are guilty and therefore condemned men. We can’t save ourselves. However, if we look to God, then we have a justified hope.
+
+What does the Bible say about God’s character?
+
+“God is love” and “God is righteous.” (1 John 4:8; Daniel 9:14 NKJV) Righteousness is a result of love. If God were to encourage wrong, then He would be neither loving nor righteous. In the human way of looking at things this leads to a problem. It is often difficult for us to reconcile love and righteousness. Was this possibly also a problem for God?
+
+231
+
+“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)
+
+In His great love God solved the problem with the sacrificial death of His Son for you and me. Due to His righteousness God has to condemn us, but due to His love He personally assumes the penalty for every person, who trusts Him.
+
+Who is Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us?
+
+The Bible shows us that Jesus Christ is God. The Son of God became a human in order to save us.
+
+If Jesus had only been a human or an angel, then He couldn’t have saved us. Only God could carry the sum of all the guilt.
+
+Assuming that God had created an angel to die for us – provided that the problem could have been solved this way – wouldn’t that somehow be cheap? Nothing less than the infinitely great sacrifice of the Son of God was able to express God’s love to us humans.
+
+Jesus Christ is the creator of the world (John 1:1-3,14; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). Only the creator has the power to redeem us. Without creative power there is no resurrection to eternal life.
+
+Jesus Christ is also the divine law-giver (1 Corinthians 10:4; James 4:12 + John 5:22). Only the law-giver could make a change by taking the punishment we deserved on Himself.
+
+When we realize that God was ready to sacrifice Himself for us humans, then we begin to understand His great love. Christ became a mediator through whom God proved His infinite love for a sinful fallen world.
+
+There was only one possibility: Either Christ sacrificed Himself for us or we would all be eternally lost. The Bible clearly states: Jesus carried our sins (1 Peter 2:22,24; Isaiah 53:4-6).
+
+Why can Jesus Christ be my substitute?
+
+It was also difficult for me to understand how someone else could carry my debt. However, there are a number of cases in history, where a substitute died for someone or took their punishment.
+
+Reporters discovered before a trial that the judge and the defendant had been college friends. Hence, the courtroom was full of curious people. What would the judge do? The trial proceeded entirely correctly. The verdict was a large money fine. Since they knew ahead of time that the convicted man couldn’t pay – it had to do with embezzlement – the court officer was waiting to lead him away.
+
+232 LETTER TO ANDREW 3 WHAT IS THE BIBLE’S MAIN OBJECTIVE?
+
+After the judge laid aside his robe, he stood in front of his friend and said: “Do you still believe that I am your friend?” An angry glare was his answer. The judge continued: “I was your judge. As a judge I couldn’t do otherwise. As a judge I have to give a fair verdict. But now I want to show you that I am your friend.”
+
+Before the eyes of his friend he wrote a check for the high amount to which he had just sentenced him. It was a great financial sacrifice for the judge. He held the check out to the condemned man. Shamefacedly, he hesitated to accept it. But finally, he gratefully and trustingly took the check from his friend, the judge. He was able to leave the courtroom as a free man together with his friend. The sentence wasn’t enforced. The penalty had been paid by someone else. When a debt has been paid, then there is nothing left to pay.
+
+According to John 5:22 Jesus Christ is our judge. The judge of the earth will judge fairly. He loves you and wants to be your friend (Romans 5:10; John 15:14). Due to His love, He is willing to pay for you. He is able to do this because of His sacrifice. When you seek His friendship and thankfully and trustingly accept His offer, then He will also pay your debt and the sentence won’t be enforced. (John 5:24)
+
+Then you can “go home” together with your friend as a free man (John 14:13).
+
+How can Jesus become my friend?
+
+By trusting Him, by believing Him. What has to be done in order to
+
+receive new life?
+
+A prison warden wanted to know: “What must I do to be saved.” The answer was: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved ... .” (Acts 16:30-31 NKJV)
+
+The important thing is to believe in Jesus Christ.
+
+What does “belief” actually mean?
+
+Unfortunately, the meaning of “belief” is watered down today. The English word “belief” comes from West Germanic “galaubon”, meaning: “to hold dear, esteem, trust”. Because this is so important, I want to explain it further.
+
+“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19 NKJV) Let’s simply call this “intellectual-belief ”.
+
+Some people pray before an operation or in an emergency. Let’s call this “emergency-belief ”. Intellectual-belief is good. Emergency-belief, which can help us have experiences with God’s love, is also good. Both are part of saving belief. But intellectual-belief and emergency-belief are still not saving belief.
+
+233
+
+Complete or saving belief, according to the biblical understanding, has to do with me completely entrusting myself to Jesus Christ.
+
+Here is an illustration of true belief:
+
+A doctor loves a young woman. He would like to marry her. The young lady is convinced that this man is a good person and an outstanding physician. (This is intellectual-belief.) She needs an appendix operation. In her time of need, she asks the doctor for help. (This is emergency-belief.)
+
+The doctor is certainly glad about her good opinion of him. He will also gladly perform the surgery. Now, the young woman is his patient. But if that was all, then it would definitely not be enough for him. He loves her and want to marry her. When she responds to his affections, then there is a preliminary “yes” in their engagement, which is then followed by the ultimate “I do” during the wedding vows. At the moment she says “I do” to a life together, she has entrusted herself to him. (This is saving belief.)
+
+A covenant with the living God
+
+This is an illustration of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We hear about Him or read about Him and eventually we ask Him for help. Many stop here and remain patients of Jesus, instead of entering the best covenant there is: a personal love-relationship. His love, which we
+
+get to know through the Bible or experiences with Him, leads us to trust Him more and more. We turn to Him in a personal prayer (this is the engagement). When we have gotten to know Him better and trust Him more, then we surrender our lives to Him. We are saying YES to the wedding (the wedding is equivalent to the biblical baptism).
+
+The Bible compares the relationship to Christ with a marriage
+
+At the moment the young woman said out of love and trust “I do” for life, she became his wife. Thus, we become close friends with Jesus or children of God at the moment we give Him a complete, committed “I do” for our life.
+
+“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 NKJV)
+
+“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God ...” (John 1:12 NKJV)
+
+From this moment on we have new life. When we remain in this relationship with God, then we will be resurrected at Jesus’ second coming to eternal life.
+
+A marriage is a very good comparison for our relationship with God. The Bible uses this illustration, for example, in Ephesians 5:22-33.
+
+234 LETTER TO ANDREW 3 WHAT IS THE BIBLE’S MAIN OBJECTIVE?
+
+The “I do” at the wedding changes a lot of things. Usually, the woman takes on the name of her husband. Both of them leave their parents’ home, move into a home together and then lead a life together. It is the same with Jesus Christ. When we say “I do” to Him, then we want to live with Him. We enjoy reading His love letter – the Bible –, we like to talk with Him – prayer –, we are glad that He has time for us every day – worship or quiet time –, and that He wants to spend a whole day with us every week – Sabbath and at church. We delight in shaping our lives with Him – mission or church work. And one day, we will be able to accept the greatest inheritance there is: eternal life in God’s kingdom.
+
+What is with good works?
+
+Now for a few words about good works. The fundamental error of 98% of the people is that they think the Bible teaches that we have to earn eternal life.
+
+What importance do good works have?
+
+Let’s read Ephesians 2:8-9 again and also verse 10 (NKJV): “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves (i.e. not through your merits); it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand (for which God prepared us beforehand) that we should walk in them.”
+
+We are not saved by good works, but by God’s grace – without any merits from us. From the moment we are saved through our trust in
+
+Jesus Christ, we have a new relationship to Him. He has given us a new and changed life. He has prepared good works for us in this new life, so that we can perform them.
+
+Now, we want to gladden Jesus by demonstrating our love and thankfulness. And He gives us strength for this new life. May I say it like this: The good works aren’t a condition for our salvation, rather the fruit of our salvation.
+
+Let’s return to the example of a marriage.
+
+A young lady won’t marry a young man just because he brings her flowers. But if they love each other, the flowers can be a sign of their love.
+
+When a couple is married, then the husband gives his wife housekeeping money. Is this a good deed? The wife cooks for her husband and keeps his suits in good order. Are those good deeds?
+
+No one would consider these good deeds, with which they are earning their marriage. They are already married. It is the natural result of their love relationship.
+
+Let me summarize: We receive new life when we enter a close trust-relationship with Jesus Christ.
+
+My own Experience
+
+For years I believed in God and Jesus Christ. I believed everything the Bible taught. I acknowledged it all with my mind. I also prayed and frequently had answered prayers.
+
+235
+
+Then the day came, when I discovered that I hadn’t committed myself to Jesus Christ yet.
+
+This insight caused me to have an inner struggle all week. I feared a loss if I would commit my life to Jesus. Until I realized that Jesus Christ loves me with a divine love and that He had proven that by dying for me. Then I realized that complete surrender to Him isn’t a risk, but rather a great benefit.
+
+That same day I said “I do” to Him and consecrated my life to Him in a simple prayer. This changed my life in a positive way. I am enthusiastic about my God. Looking back, I only regret one thing: That I hadn’t realized this earlier and done it earlier.
+
+I am now happy when I can help someone find this new life through Jesus Christ.
+
+An Important Step in a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ
+
+The following prayer is an opportunity to express your trust in God. It isn’t a matter of using exactly this wording, rather that we honestly mean and want what we say to God.
+
+“Father in heaven, I have come to realize that I have tried to control my own life and have separated myself from You. Forgive me my sin. Thank you that you have forgiven my sin because Christ died for me and has become my Redeemer. Lord Jesus, please take over the lordship of my life and change me, like You want me to be.”
+
+Such a prayer of surrender to Jesus Christ can be compared with an engagement. After the engagement, the couple get to know each other better and better and learn to appreciate each other more.
+
+Then the marriage follows. In this comparison the marriage is equivalent to biblical baptism.
+
+With warm greetings,
+
+Helmut
+
+Helpfully was „New Testament Witnessing“ by Elden K. Walter.
+
+236 LETTER TO ANDREW 3 WHAT IS THE BIBLE’S MAIN OBJECTIVE?
+
+Prayer
+
+Letter to Andrew 13
+
+Seize Life
+
+Dear Andrew,
+
+Can I straight away ask you an extremely important question?
+
+Assuming that you were to die today (heart attack?, accident?), would you have the assurance of eternal life with Jesus Christ? Don’t remain in the dark!
+
+Facts will help you find an answer.
+
+Whoever searches for a relationship with God, will make the discovery of a lifetime:
+
+1. God loves me!
+
+“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10 NKJV) That is why God has a plan for me. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.” (John 3:16-17 NKJV)
+
+Jesus promises: “... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+God offers me great things:
+
+› A meaningful and full life – now › Eternal life – later
+
+Why isn’t God’s offer given much validity? What is the reason behind this painful reality?
+
+Through a personal relationship with God
+
+237
+
+2. We have separated ourselves from God!
+
+From the beginning, humans were called to fellowship with God. They had a personal relationship with God. By their own free will, they separated themselves from God. They thought they could be independent this way. And so, the close relationship to God was lost.
+
+The Bible calls this decision by human beings “sin”. It doesn’t matter whether it manifests itself as active rebellion or passive indifference towards God.
+
+Sin separates us from God.
+
+The Bible explains what sin is:
+
+“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2 NKJV)
+
+“Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God‘s law, because sin is a breaking of the law.” (1 John 3:4 GNT)
+
+“All wrongdoing is sin ...” (1 John 5:17 GNT)
+
+Many realize that their life has no meaning. That is why they strive for a meaningful life. But how? Without God?
+
+However, an honest and respectable life, ideas for bettering the world or religious achievements do not straddle the abyss between us and God. Sin, with all its consequences, is not eliminated with all these efforts. What is God’s answer to all these human efforts?
+
+3. What is God’s answer to all these human efforts?
+
+His death paid the price for my sins: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him,and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)
+
+“Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34 NKJV)
+
+Jesus Himself said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NKJV )
+
+God did for me, what I can’t do myself: He spanned the separating abyss between me and Him. This happened when the Son of God died on behalf of my sins.
+
+“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NKJV)
+
+We can find a personal relationship with God through Jesus.
+
+It’s not enough to know this fact. God is waiting for a reaction. It could look something like this:
+
+238 LETTER TO ANDREW 13 SEIZE LIFE
+
+4. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior
+
+“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)
+
+Accepting Him means:
+
+› Living with Him in a personal relationship, › Faith and trust in Him.
+
+“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV)
+
+Two possibilities:
+
+My ego as the center of my life
+
+My ego governs. The results are, for example, desire for admiration, doubt, insecurity, guilt, internal unrest, etc.
+
+Jesus Christ as the center of my life
+
+Jesus Christ leads me. The advantages are among other things: peace, certainty, forgiveness, love, new and eternal life.
+
+My answer to the following questions is vital:
+
+› Which illustration portrays my life?
+
+› More the upper illustration or the lower
+
+illustration?
+
+› What do I want to look like?
+
+› Which illustration do you wish for in your
+
+future?
+
+› What could hinder me from accepting
+
+Christ in my life now?
+
+239
+
+How can I accept Christ in my life?
+
+I can make a decision today, now, for Jesus Christ. It is so simple to speak with Jesus. The Bible calls this “prayer”. Your prayer could be something like this:
+
+“Lord Jesus Christ, I want to thank You that You died and rose again for me. I am a sinner, please forgive me. Please come into my life now. I can’t save myself. I can’t earn eternal life. That is why I trust You. Free me from the power of evil. Give me strength to follow You. I surrender myself to You with everything I have and am. I accept eternal life. I haven’t earned it; but I thank You for this gift. Amen.”
+
+Can you say “yes” to this prayer?
+
+I recommend that you carefully read this prayer through a second time. Is it consistent with your will? Remember: Your will is God’s landing place in your life.
+
+I suggest that you pray the prayer aloud now.
+
+Now, I have invited Jesus Christ into my life with this prayer. I trust that He will keep His promises in my life:
+
+“I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.” (John 6:37 GNT)
+
+“But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.” (1 John 1:9 GNT)
+
+God’s word gives me assurance:
+
+“Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 GNT)
+
+5. My new life with Jesus Christ
+
+I have now accepted Jesus Christ in my life. I want to continue on this path with Him. I take God’s promises in His word seriously.
+
+My new life isn’t based on a feeling, rather on the facts in God’s word:
+
+240 LETTER TO ANDREW 13
+
+SEIZE LIFE
+
+Suggested Prayer
+
+“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 GNT)
+
+Some may expect an exhilarating feeling after this prayer.
+
+An engineer said disappointedly: “I have given Jesus Christ my word with this prayer of surrender. But I am missing the corresponding feelings.”
+
+You have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ. Your prayer of surrender created a new fact, because God and His word are reliable. The following realization is important in this context: Facts aren’t dependent on our feelings. Facts are completely valid without any feelings. They are independent from my feelings.
+
+For example: Your birthday is on a certain day. But you have absolutely no birthday feelings! The fact is: your birthday is on this day – even when you don’t have any birthday feelings.
+
+You know the times table. For example: 2x2=4;or4x4=16.Thetimestableisa fact – you don’t have to feel that. Feelings are inappropriate here. Feelings are not a gauge of facts!
+
+The engineer was relieved when he realized: “I have said yes to Jesus Christ. I am now a Christian – even without the corresponding feelings. Unfortunately, my mother never explained this simple principle to me.”
+
+What is new or has changed in my life?
+
+1. Christ has entered my life (Revelation 3:20; Colossians 1:27).
+
+2. Christ forgives my guilt (Colossians 1:14; 1 John 1:9).
+
+3. I belong to God – I am His child (1 John 3:1).
+
+4. My life now has deep meaning
+
+(John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15,17).
+
+5. Christ helps me to follow His instructions (John 14:15; 15:10-11).
+
+6. I am preparing to make a covenant with Christ through baptism (Mark 16:16).
+
+7. Christ gives me eternal life (1 John 5:12).
+
+Jesus promises: “I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10b GNT )
+
+Life is growth, Stagnation is regression.
+
+That is why:
+
+› I don’t look at myself, but rather at Jesus Christ.
+
+› I rely on God’s redemption, not on my fluctuating feelings.
+
+› I keep a close connection with my Lord.
+
+› I maintain a prayer life.
+
+› I read daily in the Bible – God’s word.
+
+› I have regular fellowship with like-minded
+
+Christians.
+
+› I profess Jesus Christ in my surroundings. › I prepare for baptism.
+
+› I am looking forward to the second coming
+
+of my Lord.
+
+241
+
+You have started a new life with Jesus Christ. I am happy for you. I want to compare your decision with an engagement. An engagement takes place in private. A beautiful time follows the engagement. You get to know each other better, you learn to love and trust each other more and the new relationship becomes deeper. When the time comes that you want to belong to each other forever, then the wedding follows. A wedding with Christ is equivalent to biblical baptism.
+
+“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16 GNT)
+
+Maybe you could read my letter through several times, because I have attempted to summarize the essence of our relationship to God through Jesus Christ.
+
+How can I get to know Jesus Christ better?
+
+The same way we get to know any person, who isn’t present. By conversations (telephone calls). In this case, we call it “prayer”. By reading about them. It is highly recommended to read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) in the New Testament of the Bible. They tell about the life of Jesus. It gives a good
+
+overview. It can also be inspiring to make a 14-day test with the Bible (see Andrew’s letter number 15). In addition, a topical Bible study is recommended – for in-depth insights. There are free Bible correspondence courses in any country.
+
+Naturally, it is now a matter of enjoying and maintaining our new relationship of trust with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has given us a vital help for this purpose: life in God’s strength. I am looking forward to sharing more about this in my next letter (Life in God’s strength – how?) Jesus longs for an enduring and sincere relationship with you. He said: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4 NKJV)
+
+Helmut and my friend Kurt
+
+(Helmut Haubeil and Kurt Hasel)
+
+242 LETTER TO ANDREW 13 SEIZE LIFE
+
+The Way
+
+to eternal Life
+
+Have you come to the place in your spiritual Iife where if you were to die right now you would know for certain that you would have etemal life?
+
+God Wants You to know that you have Eternal Life.
+
+“l write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
+
+Suppose you·were to die, and when you meet God, He were to ask you, “Why shoud I give you eternal Life in Heaven,” What would you say?
+
+Z1
+
+GRA CE
+
+The real question is, “Can we earn or deserve eternal life and heaven by our obedience or good life?”
+
+No! Eternal Life is a gift, no one pays for a gift.
+
+“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ... it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:9)
+
+“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
+
+Assurance is impossible if we depend on our own performance.
+
+243
+
+MA N
+
+We can understand why this is true, when we recognize what the the Bible tells us about man.
+
+“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “Sin is breaking God’s Law.” (1 John 3:4)
+
+“For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)
+
+We are guilty and condemned to die. We cannot save ourselves.
+
+But God is merciiful. He does not want to destroy anyone. That is why He sent his Son Jesus Christ to save us.
+
+“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
+
+Godis just therefore He must destroy sin and sinners in order to estabilsh harmony and peace in the universe.
+
+OG D
+
+HC RI TS
+
+Jesus Was both God and Man at the same time.
+
+“In the beginning was the Word. ... the Word was God ... The Word became flesh and Dwelt among us.” (John 1:1,14)
+
+“He bore our sins in his body on the tree.” (1 Peter 2:24)
+
+“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him
+
+we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
+
+God made him to be guilty for our sins, so that when he died he paid the penalty for our sins in full and gives us his perfect life of obedience.
+
+244 Z1 THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE
+
+We receive this free gift of Eternal Life by receiving Jesus.
+
+“He who has the son has life.” (1 John 5:12)
+
+We receive Him by asking him to come into our lives.
+
+“This is the confidence we have in approaching God. ... If we ask for anything ... we have what we have asked for.” (v. 13)
+
+Faith is believing he will do what he said he would do.
+
+Faith is more than simply believing about Jesus ... it is a commitment to Him, similar to a marriage commitment to be faithful to each other.
+
+AF HTI
+
+The new life in Christ
+Forgiven: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
+A New Person: “He is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
+Sons and Daughters of God: “To all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
+Winning Life: “For sin shall not be your master.” (Romans 6:14)
+Eternal Life: “God has given us eternal life, this life is in his Son.”
+
+(John 5:11)
+
+Do you see what Jesus wants to do for you?
+
+Do you want to receive the free gift of eternal life that Jesus Ieft heaven and died on the cross to give you?
+
+245
+
+Remember:
+Salvation only comes by trusting in Christ alone.
+We accept Jesus as Lord and Master as well as our Saviour.
+Out of gratitude and love we seek to obey his will.
+We must be willing to turn from our past sinful lifestyle and live according to His plan for us.
+
+OC VE NA NT
+
+“I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
+
+Would you like to open the door and invite Jesus in now?
+
+The Covenant Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want you to come into my life right now. I am a sinner. I cannot save myself. I cannot be good enough to deserve eternal life in heaven. So now, I put my trust in you. I accept you as my personal Saviour. I believe you died for me. I receive you as Lord and Master over my
+
+life. Help me as I turn from my sins and follow you. I accept your gift of eternal life. I don’t deserve it but I thank you for it. Amen
+
+246 Z1
+
+THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE
+
+For Your Assurance
+
+You have Eternal Life:
+
+“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” (John 6:47)
+
+Welcome to the Family of God:
+
+“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
+
+“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
+
+To assist you in your new life, write for free Bible study guides:
+
+Letter to Andrew 14
+
+Life in God’s Strength – How?
+
+Dear Andrew!
+
+I had to hold the funeral for a young doctor. I requested her Bible so that I could find some reference points in order to make the address more personal. I found a place, where she had written: “I want life in abundance!” She wanted exactly that which only Jesus can give us:
+
+“... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+Jesus wants us to experience this new life now and to continue this new life when He comes again as eternal life in God’s kingdom.
+
+The challenge now is how we can have the motivation and strength for a happy and enduring relationship in a life with Jesus.
+
+A fitting comparison: A car without fuel. There are only two possibilities: to push the car or to get fuel. Only when the car has fuel, does it fulfill its purpose.
+
+A Christian life
+
+without power can be compared to a car without fuel.
+
+Hence: How can I live in the power of God? Jesus told His disciples:
+
+“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you ...” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
+
+How does that work? Where can we find more detailed information? There is a singular Bible text, where the Lord Jesus lovingly and strongly encourages us to ask for the Holy Spirit. Here is the text:
+
+Luke 11:9-13: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for [e] bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for
+
+247
+
+an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
+
+Do you notice something? Jesus used the verb “ask” six times in this passage; then He substitutes the word “ask” two times and reinforces it with the word “seek” – an active verb – and then two more times with the verb “knock” – also an active verb. Doesn’t this distinctly show us that we should take action? The last “ask” is in the continuous tense in Greek. This means that we shouldn’t just ask one time, but rather continuously ask. Not only does Jesus emphasize the urgency of asking, but also expects us to continuously practice it. This shows us that Jesus is convicted that we are missing something crucial. He is clearly calling our attention to the fact that we need the Holy Spirit and we are dependent on Him.
+
+Jesus shows us in a masterly manner – by frequently repeating the verbs and making comparisons – our greatest need: we should continuously ask for the Holy Spirit. This is exceptional. It has to do with God’s supreme gift – the gift which brings all the other gifts in its train. This is the crowning gift that Jesus gave His disciples and plain proof of His love.
+
+Every day will be an adventure for us, when we are acquainted with
+
+the reality of a life filled with the Holy Spirit and we constantly commit ourselves to His leadership.
+
+The Bible speaks about three different groups of people in relation to their relationship to God:
+
+Ask yourself: Which group do I belong to? And – what group do I want to belong to?
+
+1. The Natural Person
+
+This is a person, who hasn’t accepted Christ yet.
+
+“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV)
+
+A life ruled by the ego
+
+E= Ego, limited self on the throne. †= Christ outside of their life.
+
+• = Areas of life, which are controlled
+
+by the ego and often lead to discord and disappointment.
+
+E †
+
+248
+
+LETTER TO ANDREW 14 LIFE IN GOD'S STRENGH HOW?
+
+2. The Spiritual Person
+
+This is a person, who has accepted Christ and is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
+
+“But he who is spiritual judges all things ...”
+
+(1 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV)
+
+A life led by Christ
+
+† = Christ is on the throne of life
+
+E = The ego is dethroned
+
+• = Areas of life, which are under the
+
+leadership of the unlimited God and growing in harmony with God’s plan.
+
+†
+
+E
+
+3. The Carnal Person
+
+This is a person, who has accepted Christ, but often experiences defeats, because he tries to live a Christian life in his own strength instead of in the power of the Holy Spirit.
+
+“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NKJV)
+
+A life controlled by the ego
+
+E = Ego, limited self on the throne
+
+† = Christ in their life, but not on the
+
+throne
+
+• = Areas of life, which are controlled
+
+by the ego and often lead to discord and disappointment.
+
+E
+
+†
+
+249
+
+We want to look at this important matter in four steps. We will look more closely at the situation of the spiritual and carnal people.
+
+1. God wants us to have a fulfilled and fruitful life.
+
+“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV)
+
+“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)
+
+“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
+
+The Spiritual Person
+
+Some traits that are characteristic of a life with God:
+
+• Christ is the focal point
+
+• Authority through the Holy Spirit • An effective prayer life
+
+• Understanding of God’s word
+
+• Trust in God
+
+• Obedience to God
+
+• Lead other people to Christ
+
+†
+
+E
+
+Love | Joy | Peace | Longsuffering Kindness | Goodness | Faithfulness
+
+The effects of these traits in our life depend on our maturity in Christ, on the degree of our connection with Him and also if we completely trust Him with all areas of our life.
+
+Someone, who is just starting to understand the work of the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t become discouraged when they don’t bear as much fruit as a mature Christian, who has long been acquainted with this truth.
+
+Why do most Christians not experience this fulfilled life?
+
+250 LETTER TO ANDREW 14
+
+LIFE IN GOD'S STRENGH HOW?
+
+2. Carnal people can’t experience a fulfilled and fruitful Christian life.
+
+Some or all of the following traits characterize carnal Christians, who do not completely trust God.
+
+• Ignorance about His spiritual possessions
+
+• Unbelief
+
+• Disobedience
+
+• Insufficient love for God and others
+
+• Insufficient prayer life
+
+• Insufficient interest in the Bible
+
+E
+
+†
+
+Impure thoughts | Jealousy | Guilt Unnecessary worries | Discouragement Critical attitude | Despair
+
+Aimlessness | Legality (the idea that they have to earn something from God)
+
+(Someone, who thinks they are a real Christian, but consistently sins, should examine themselves according to 1 John 2:3, 3:6, 3:9 and Ephesians 5:5 to see if they really are a Christian.)
+
+The third point shows us the sole solution to this problem ...
+
+3. Jesus has promised us a fulfilled and fruitful life. It is the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit, as well as the guidance and authority that the Holy Spirit gives us.
+
+A life filled with the Spirit is a life in which Christ has the leadership. Christ lives His life in us and works in us and through us by the continuous power of the Holy Spirit (John 15).
+
+A. According to John 3:1-8, a person becomes a Christian through the working of the Holy Spirit. At the moment of our spiritual birth, we receive a new life through Christ.
+
+It tells us in John 14:17 that the Holy Spirit stays by and in us.
+
+We should bear in mind:
+
+We received our natural life at birth, which should be preserved. From the outside, it is preserved by air, water, food, etc. It is exactly the same in the spiritual world as in the natural world. We receive our spiritual life – the Bible calls it being born again (John 3:3), when we completely surrender to Christ and attest to this through the biblical baptism in due time (Acts 2:38; John 1:12; John 14:16-17). So that this spiritual life can survive, it needs a life with the Holy Spirit, prayer, God’s word, etc.
+
+B. The Holy Spirit is the source of a fulfilled life (John 7:37-39).
+
+251
+
+C. The Holy Spirit came to exalt Christ. (John 16:1-15) When someone is filled with the Holy Spirit, then they are a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
+
+D. Christ promised us the power of the Holy Spirit in His last words before He ascended into heaven, so that we will be empowered to be His disciples and witnesses (Acts 1:1-9).
+
+How can a person be filled with the Holy Spirit?
+
+4. We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith.
+
+Then we can experience the overflowing and fruitful life, which Christ promised us.
+
+We cannot earn God’s abundance – it is a gift. We receive it through faith – by trusting God.
+
+You can experience being filled with the Holy Spirit now, when you:
+
+A. Have a genuine desire to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:6; John 7:3739).
+
+B. Pray by faith to be filled with the Holy Spirit, in other words, trusting that Jesus Christ will answer your prayer.
+
+Jesus said: “‘He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit ... .” (John 7:38-39 NKJV)
+
+“... that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14 NKJV)
+
+God has made it easy for us to trust Him by giving us concrete promises. He says in 1 John 5:14 NKJV: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
+
+Those, who pray according to God’s will – the next verse says: “And if we know (at the moment) that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:15 NKJV)
+
+Another translation (NIV) says: “And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.”
+
+This means that prayers according to God’s will are answered immediately, when we bring them before God, even though we often don’t feel anything. Feelings can appear later.
+
+252 LETTER TO ANDREW 14 LIFE IN GOD'S STRENGH HOW?
+
+Example: Someone prays to be freed from tobacco. His prayer is answered by faith at the moment he utters his request. A few hours later, he notices that he no longer craves tobacco. (Further details in the letter to Andrew on “Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol.” Praying with promises is also explained in detail.)
+
+Jesus says in Mark 11:24 (NKJV): “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you [actually] receive them, and you will have them.”
+
+C. God has given us a promise in Luke 11:9-13 for receiving the Holy Spirit. We already took a look at it at the beginning of the letter (chapter), hence only verse 13 (NKJV): “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
+
+How to pray by faith to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+A prayer using promises strengthens our trust in it being granted and at the same time, it is an opportunity to express our faith. Following is a suggested prayer:
+
+“Father in heaven, I come in the name of Jesus to you. I cannot follow you in my own power. You know my failed attempts. I sincerely ask You to give me the strength to live according to Your will. You commanded me: “Be filled with the Spirit!” (Ephesians 5:18 NKJV) I am willing to be filled. I ask you to please make this reality now, because You have promised that You want to give us the Holy Spirit more than earthly fathers want to give their children good things (Luke 11:13). I want to thank You that you have already filled me, because You have promised that when I pray according to Your will, then I can know that I already have what I asked for (1 John 5:14-15). Please lead me and use me today according to Your will. Amen.”
+
+Does this prayer correspond with your desires? If yes, then make this your prayer now. I recommend that you pray this prayer aloud and trust that God has filled you now with His Holy Spirit.
+
+253
+
+Suggested Prayer
+
+Assurance that you are filled with the Holy Spirit
+
+Have you asked God to fill you with His Holy Spirit? On the basis of what authority can you know if you have been filled with the Holy Spirit? (Because God and His word are trustworthy: Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:22-23)
+
+Feelings are not crucial. God’s promises in His word are vital – not our feelings. A Christian lives by faith, meaning by trusting the reliability of God and His word.
+
+The following illustration should show the relationship between facts (God and His word), faith (our trust in God and His word) and feelings (result of faith and obedience) (John 14:21).
+
+How to live in the Holy Spirit
+
+A Christian can only have a life filled with the Holy Spirit by faith (trust in God and His promises). In so doing, we should pay attention to what 2 Corinthians 4:16 says:
+
+“... yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (NKJV)
+
+That is why it is advisable that we dedicate our lives to God every morning and by faith ask Him – preferably with a promise – to be renewed with the Holy Spirit. When you live day by day with trust in Christ, then the following will happen:
+
+A. Your life will yield more and more fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22); your character will become increasingly similar to Christ’s (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
+
+B. Your prayer life and reading God’s word will become more meaningful.
+
+C. You will experience His strength to resist temptations and sin.
+
+“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able ...” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV )
+
+“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV )
+
+“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10 NKJV)
+
+Facts
+
+Faith
+
+Feelings
+
+The train can travel with or without wagons. It would be futile for the wagons to pull the locomotive. Likewise, Christians are not dependent on their moods and emotions, rather they put their trust (our faith) in the reliability of God and the promises in His word.
+
+254 LETTER TO ANDREW 14 LIFE IN GOD'S STRENGH HOW?
+
+“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)
+
+“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit [the Holy Spirit] of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 NKJV )
+
+“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18 NKJV)
+
+D. You will experience God’s support when you witness (Acts 1:8).
+
+E. What should I do about sin?
+
+You can by faith continually experience God’s love and forgiveness. When it becomes clear to you that God doesn’t approve of something (an attitude or deed) in your life, although you live with Him and earnestly want to follow Him, then confess your sin, for example, a wrong, irreconcilability, etc. Then thank Him that He has forgiven your sins because Christ died on the cross. Accept His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to live in fellowship with Him.
+
+When you sin – an act of disobedience – there is a disruption in your relationship with God, then you need to do the following:
+
+1. CONFESSION
+
+Confess your sins by name, agree with God in regards to His judgement of your sin and thank Him for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:1-25). Confession includes repentance – a change of attitude or deed.
+
+2. ASKING
+
+Ask again by faith for the Holy Spirit. Trust that He will continue to lead you as He promised in Luke 11:13 and in 1 John 5:14-15.
+
+When these explanations have been of help, then please pass on a copy or read it to someone.
+
+May you have great joy in your new life in God’s power.
+
+Best wishes and blessings,
+
+Helmut and my friend Kurt
+
+(Helmut Haubeil and Kurt Hasel)
+
+255
+
+Letter to Andrew 5
+
+Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol
+
+How can one become completely free from addictions with God’s help?
+
+Dear Andrew!
+
+Today I want to tell you about a 39-year-old truck driver by the name of Adolf living in Munich-Germany, who wanted to kick the smoking habit. He smoked 60-70 cigarettes every day, and nothing he had tried had worked. So I asked him:
+
+“Would you like to know how, with the help of God, you can get free from smoking, immediately, and with no withdrawal symptoms?”
+
+Yes, indeed. He wanted to know.
+
+I explained to him that I could not help him, I could only show him the way to God; the One who is more than willing and able to help. Adolf accepted God’s offer and was immediately and completely delivered. 14 days later, he prayed that God would also free him from drinking beer.
+
+At the time, he had been drinking 10–14 bottles of beer per day. God liberated him from that addiction as well, and Adolf ’s doctor was amazed at the sudden improvement in his health. One year later, with the money he had saved, Adolf even took a vacation in the USA with his wife and daughters.
+
+Many people have been freed after having spoken a simple prayer, but I wanted to give Adolf some information so he could pray with conviction. With this in mind, we read a few Bible verses.
+
+“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NKJV)
+
+Here we see a promise that God answers prayers that are in harmony with His will. Let us remember this.
+
+256 LETTER TO ANDREW 5 VICTORY OVER TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL
+
+We read together 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJV:
+
+“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” – “What do you think?” I asked, “Is smoking damaging to your health?” “Of course!” he answered. “So, is smoking a sin?” “Yes!”
+
+[I have asked these questions to hundreds of smokers, and almost no one reacts negatively. – More than four million people die every year of diseases caused by smoking.]
+
+Does God want us to sin? No! On the contrary: He wants us not to sin. Therefore it is His will that we become free from our addiction to tobacco. This is a crucial point, because when we understand it, we know that God will certainly answer our prayer for deliverance.
+
+Then I told Adolf: If smoking is a sin, then it is necessary to ask God for forgiveness. He will gladly grant such a request without delay:
+
+“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 KJV) God promises to forgive every sin that we confess.
+
+Then I continued: “May I ask you a question? If we pray for your deliverance, would you be willing to confess your sin of smoking?” “Yes.” “In that case, God will forgive you” and we can be very grateful for that.
+
+Of course, it would not be a good idea to repeat the same offense after receiving forgiveness. Because God does not want us to continue sinning and hurting ourselves, He is happy to liberate us when we ask Him in faith. We have His promise:
+
+“If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NKJV)
+
+Jesus is speaking here and says, if He sets us free, then we are really free. That means we will not want to continue in our old bad habit, and we will not need to do it anymore.
+
+When will He answer?
+
+“And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:15 NKJV)
+
+God hears us and answers us while we are praying, without delay. If that is true, then we can also thank Him for it in the same prayer.
+
+I explained to Adolf that, according to the Bible, there are cases in which God hinges His promises on certain conditions. There are thousands of those in the Bible. God gave them to us so we could know His will and His requirements. The result of knowing these things is, it is easy for us to trust God. When we promise children something, they expect to receive it: in our prayer life, we may and should do the same.
+
+[Although Adolf was actually not a believer, God answered his prayer. I assume He did that for him in order to show him His love and to help him learn to trust Him.]
+
+Wish or Will? – Before we prayed, I asked Adolf a very important question: Would you like to stop smoking? (wishful thinking!) or do you want to stop smoking? (a decision of the will!) Adolf assured me: “I really want to quit.”
+
+257
+
+Then I asked: “When do you want to smoke your last cigarette?” I explained to him that it would not be appropriate to smoke his last cigarette after his prayer, if God had already delivered him. His answer: “in that case, I have already smoked my last cigarette!”
+
+Then we discussed the content of the prayer so that he could make an informed decision as to whether he wanted to pray such a prayer or not. He confirmed his wish, but asked me to pray the prayer for him so that he could
+
+repeat it, sentence for sentence, as he did not want to forget anything. Then we knelt down together. After I had prayed for my ministry and especially for the presence of God with us, we prayed the following prayer together: I have spoken the prayer sentence by sentence and – according to his wish – Adolf repeated it.
+
+[This small remark is for those who do not believe in God or are uncertain about it: Please pray before the basic prayer additionally the following short prayer – if you like this:]
+
+“Almighty God in heaven, I do not know if You exist. But if You do exist, then please answer my prayer and grant my request for deliverance, so that I may know that You are here and that You care about me.”
+
+***
+
+“Father in heaven, I thank You that I may come to You with my problem. I confess that I have damaged my body with my smoking. I am so glad that You forgive me for this sin, because I am confessing it to You. You have promised in Your Word: If we confess our sins, You will forgive us. Thank You that You have already forgiven me. But Father, I have another problem. I am addicted to smoking and cannot get free. I have often tried to quit, but have not succeeded. Now I ask You with all my heart to take away my desire and taste for tobacco – completely, because You have promised: So if the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] sets you free, you will really be free. And since Your Word also says that You grant every request that is according to Your will and that we already have the things we have asked of You, I thank You now that You have already set me free. With Your help, I will never smoke again. I
+
+thank You and praise You for Your gracious help. Amen.”
+
+258 LETTER TO ANDREW 5 VICTORY OVER TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL
+
+Prayer
+
+When we stood up I hugged him and congratulated Adolf on the great victory that God had given him. From that prayer on, he no longer had any desire or taste for tobacco, and no withdrawal symptoms – he never smoked again.
+
+After that, I counseled him on how he could help cleanse his body from toxins by drinking lots of water, getting plenty of exercise in fresh air, etc. Some people put hazelnuts (nerve food) or juniper berries (blood cleanser) in the spot where their cigarettes used to be, so when their hand goes through the old, well-practiced motions, it will find something good there. It is also a good idea to avoid smokers, since they often try to reconvert ex-smokers back to their old habits.
+
+Adolf did not notice any difference immediately after the prayer – we must receive such answers to prayer in faith. However, when he still had no desire to smoke several hours later, the answer to his prayer became very obvious and practical.
+
+Starting the next day, Adolf did something completely new. He took 15 minutes every morning to read in the Bible and pray. It strengthened him in his decision to remain free from all addictions.
+
+After two weeks, Adolf asked me to visit him again and help him with another problem: his daily consumption of beer was at 10–14 bottles, and he wanted to be free of that too. So we prayed for deliverance from alcohol just as we had for tobacco. [We can use the same Bible verses to pray for deliverance from all forms of sinful bondage.] In this case also, God gave him immediate victory, without any problems.
+
+One week later, I visited Adolf with the intention of helping him, if he so wished, to develop a personal relationship with God.
+
+Together we read the pamphlet “Seize Life,” which sparked his interest in beginning a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and he was willing to pray the prayer he had read in that leaflet:
+
+“Lord Jesus Christ, I want to thank You that You died and rose again for me. I am a sinner, please forgive me. Please come into my life now. I can’t save myself. I can’t earn eternal life. That is why I trust You. Free me from the power of evil. Give me strength to follow You. I surrender myself to You with everything I have and am. I accept eternal life. I haven’t earned it; but I thank You for this gift. Amen.”
+
+We carefully read the prayer twice before we actually prayed. That way, Adolf could be sure he agreed with it. Then we knelt down with the little booklet open in our hands and prayed together out loud. I explained to him that this prayer of dedication to Jesus Christ could be compared with an engagement. Getting engaged is a private event, which is followed by a time of getting to know each other better, which then leads up to the wedding.
+
+259
+
+Suggested Prayer
+
+So, after this prayer, there would also be a time of getting to know Jesus better by spending time reading the Word of God and praying, maybe joining a Bible study group, going to church, etc.
+
+The wedding, which follows the engagement at the right time, can be compared with baptism, as it is described in the Bible.
+
+Adolf has followed that path and is so happy for the forgiveness of all his sins, for deliverance from the bondage of his addictions, for God’s rich blessings in his life, for fellowship with likeminded Christians, for the assurance that the love of God surrounds him completely and for the hope of eternal life in the presence of God.
+
+May you be encouraged and blessed by this experience.
+
+Warm greetings from
+
+Helmut
+
+Of course, one can also walk this path alone, but Adolf did not know the way and was looking for help. If you would also like assistance, please call:
+
+260 LETTER TO ANDREW 5 VICTORY OVER TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL
+
+WWW.STEPS-TO-PERSONAL-REVIVAL.INFO
+
+Being filled with the Holy Spirit
+
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+
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+
+The Seventh-day Adventists and the Holy Spirit
+
+How is it that we lack the Holy Spirit? Reasons, Consequences and Solutions
+
+Audiobook „Steps to personal Revival“ Speaker: Mike Fenton How to be Baptized with the Holy Spirit? – 3 parts
+
+Video Sermons by Dwight Nelson
+
+„Steps to Personal Revival“ – 7 parts and „Abide in Jesus“ – 5 parts
+
+Video Sermons by Helmut Haubeil
+
+17 Letters to Andrew – Tried and testet missionary Tools to build relationships of faith (more Spirit-Filled Coworkers of Jesus, Chapters 7 and 9)
+
+261
+
+BOOK 1: www.steps-to-personal-revival.info
+
+STEPS TO PERSONAL REVIVAL
+
+Being filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+Our Lord himself has given the command: 1 Let yourselves be consistently and repeatedly filled anew with the spirit! 2
+
+1 E.G. White, Mount of Blessing, MB 20.3 (egwwritings.org)
+
+2 Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), p. 101
+
+Order Information page 2 www.steps-to-personal-revival.info
+
+FOREWORD FOR LEADERS AND FUTURE LEADERS
+
+MULTIPLYING THE RESULTS
+
+CHAPTER 1: JESUS’MOSTPRECIOUSGIFT What did Jesus teach about the Holy Spirit?
+
+Are you acquainted with Jesus’ most powerful message?
+
+CHAPTER 2: WHATISTHECENTEROFOURPROBLEMS? Is there a spiritual cause to our problems? Is the cause a lack of the Holy Spirit? What is the main problem with being a carnal Christian?
+
+CHAPTER 3: OURPROBLEMSARESOLVABLE
+
+What is God’s solution for our problems? How can we grow to be happy
+
+and strong Christians? What is the relationship between baptism and the Holy Spirit?
+
+CHAPTER 4: WHATDIFFERENCESCANWEEXPECT? What advantage do we have with a life filled with the Holy Spirit
+
+What do we lose when we don’t pray for the Holy Spirit?
+
+CHAPTER 5: THEKEYTOPRACTICALEXPERIENCE How can I implement and experience God’s solution for me?
+
+How should I pray so that I am sure of being filled with the Holy Spirit?
+
+CHAPTER 6: WHATEXPERIENCESLIEAHEADOFUS? Personal experiences, as well as experiences from churches, a conference and a union
+
+CHAPTER 7: INTERESTANDSHARING The joy that we give returns to our own hearts. (German Proverb) How can I help others to experience “Life in Abundance”? How do we pass on the message? Which ways are there?
+
+262 BOOK OFFERS
+
+BOOK 2: www.steps-to-personal-revival.info STEPS TO PERSONAL REVIVAL
+
+ABIDE IN JESUS HOW DO YOU DO THAT?
+
+“Abide in Me, and I in you.” Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service. E.G. White (Desire of Ages, DA p.676.2)
+
+Order Information page 2 www.steps-to-personal-revival.info
+
+“Abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do as a condition in order to enjoy His salvation. Rather it is our consent to let Him do everything for us, in us, and through us. It is a work He does for us – the result and the power of His redeeming love. Our part is simply to yield, to trust, and to wait for Him to accomplish what He has promised.” (Andrew Murray)
+
+CHAPTER 1: JESUS’MOSTPRECIOUSGIFT
+
+Are you acquainted with Jesus’ most powerful message? What functions does the Holy Spirit have? How can our character be changed? Jesus on the Holy Spirit in the Parable about the Leaven
+
+CHAPTER 2: SURRENDERTOJESUS
+
+Do I lose my own will? Or will I become stronger? What can prevent us from surrendering? Does surrender to God mean that we have to give up our own will?
+
+CHAPTER 3: JESUSABIDINGINYOU
+
+What effects does “Christ in me” have on my life?
+
+The ultimate achievement: being imbued with the fullness of God.
+
+The Effects of “Christ in you”. How do we get deliverance from the power of sin? Will we become “carnal” again by sinning?
+
+CHAPTER 4: OBEDIENCETHROUGHJESUS?
+
+How can I live in joyful obedience? What is joy? How does obedience through “Jesus in me” work? God has designed: Collaboration between God and Man.
+
+CHAPTER 5: ATTRACTIVEFAITHTHROUGHJESUS How can oneness be achieved among believers?
+
+What makes our faith appealing to our family and the world?
+
+What changes in us make us witnesses? How does revival generate mission?
+
+263
+
+40-DAYS – BOOK 1:
+
+PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS
+
+to Prepare for the Second Coming
+
+Dennis Smith
+
+Order: www.spiritbaptism.org
+
+Do you desire a more meaningful study and prayer life? Do you feel the need to reach out to others for Christ?
+
+If so, you’ve come to the right place. This book contains 40 days of devotional studies designed to strengthen your relationship with Christ and enable you to lead others to Him.
+
+Why 40 days?
+
+The Bible tells of several significant events that took this specific span of time:
+
+• Rain fell for 40 days during the Flood.
+
+• Moses was on Mount Sinai with God for 40 days.
+
+• The Israelite spies took 40 days to explore the Promised Land.
+
+• Jonah warned Nineveh for 40 days.
+
+• Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness after His baptism.
+
+• Jesus spent 40 days with the disciples after His resurrection.
+
+God wants to do something significant in your life, too. Not only does He long to draw you into closer fellowship with Him – He also wants to minister to others through you. And as you spend 40 amazing days with God, He will prepare you for earth’s final crisis and Christ’s long-anticipated second coming.
+
+264 BOOK OFFERS
+
+40-DAYS – BOOK 2:
+
+PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS
+
+to Revive Your Experience with God
+
+Dennis Smith
+
+Order: www.spiritbaptism.org
+
+What difference can 40 days make?
+
+A lot, if you’re praying. Join Dennis Smith on a 40-Days spiritual journey that will change your life. As you commit to 40 days of personal devotional study and prayer, your prayer life will become more consistent and effective, your faith will grow as you witness answered prayers, and your connection with fellow believers will deepen.
+
+Each day’s uplifting devotional reading is followed by a related prayer activity and personal reflection and discussion questions. If you’ve longed for a spiritual breakthrough but didn’t know where to begin, start here. Smith will guide you through 40 days of practical biblical teachings that are essential for every Christian to study.
+
+In the style of Smith’s popular 40-Days: Prayer and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming, this book can help revive the spiritual experience of individuals, small groups, and entire churches. Find out for yourself what an amazing difference 40 days can make.
+
+265
+
+NOTES
+
+ 266 NOTES
+
+Spirit-Filled
+
+COWORKERS OF JESUS
+
+How do we become such people?
+
+What does it mean to have success in life? What promises has God given us for a successful life? There is no strength in small plans. Our marvelous God wants us to think big. Do you want to be His coworker?
+
+Jesus desires coworkers, who are filled with His love. Coworkers, through whom He can love others. Therefore, it is important that I experience the full extent of God‘s love myself. (see Ephesians 3:17).
+
+What an ingenious concept God has for us with serving, giving and helping! It is simply unbelievable what God has prepared for us. And – how do we serve God? Are we working with our human abilities for God, or can God work with His divine abilities through us? What is the difference?
+
+Jesus said: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 NKJV) In what surprising way does Jesus make coworkers out of us?
+
+Helmut Haubeil shares how he learned to lead people to Christ step by step. A personal relationship with Jesus is the most valuable relationship there is. How can I show this to others? What opening question can be used to tactfully and straightforwardly get to the main issue? What tried and tested tools are available that make it significantly easier for helpers and participants when talking about faith? These valuable tools are included in the Starter-Set.
+
+Then a spiritual-missionary concept will be introduced, which shows how we as individuals or groups, as a church or conference can victoriously advance under God’s leadership.
+
+May God give each of us the joy of being Jesus’ spirit-filled coworker!
+
+Spirit-Filled
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/14-recommendation/info.yml b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/14-recommendation/info.yml
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/14-recommendation/info.yml
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+title: Recommendation
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/15-biography/15-biography.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/15-biography/15-biography.md
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/15-biography/15-biography.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: Biography
+---
+
+Helmut Haubeil is a businessman and a pastor. After successfully working as an authorized representative for a freight company, he accepted God’s call at the age of 37 to become a pastor and worked 16 years for the church.
+
+After that he was the leader of the Adventist retirement home in Bad Aibling.
+
+Since he retired, he is leader of the support group for Revival and Global Mission in this church.
+
+He doesn’t see himself as the author of the book Steps to Personal Revival, which is the basis for this series. He never had the intention of writing a book. But God led him down this path. The authority, which we can obtain for our life of faith and our service, doesn’t lay in these little books, but rather on the Giver of the gift – our wonderful Lord.
+
+I have passed on tracts or copies of sermons as often as possible. Our wonderful God showed His messenger that such documents can break the walls of prejudice and superstition. And – a whole new interest can arise. I am grateful that I was able to experience this often and still do. I find the following quote very valuable:
+
+“I have been shown that the publications already have been doing a work upon some minds in other countries in breaking down the walls of prejudice and superstition. I was shown men and women studying with intense interest papers and few pages of tracts upon present truth. They would read the evidences so wonderful and new to them, and would open their Bibles with a deep and new interest, as subjects of truth that had been dark to them were made plain, especially the light in regard to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. As they searched the Scriptures to see if these things were so, a new light shone upon their understanding, for angels were hovering over them, and impressing their minds with the truths contained in the publications they had been reading.” (Christian Service, p 149.7; ChS, 149.7)
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/15-biography/info.yml b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/15-biography/info.yml
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/15-biography/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Biography
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/a-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/a-appendix.md
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/a-appendix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+---
+title: Appendix A
+---
+
+### Promises for Intercessory Prayer
+
+We can find in the introduction of the 40-Days Books vol. 1, 2 and 3 by Dennis Smith additional promises for intercessory prayer.
+
+1. Please Father, draw him/her to You (John 6:44).
+
+2. Please Father, place the desire in their hearts to seek You (Acts 17:27).
+
+3. Please Father, help them to believe Your word (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
+
+4. Please Father, destroy Satan’s influence over them (2 Corinthians 4:4;
+
+10:4-5).
+
+5. Please Father, let them be influenced by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-13)
+
+6. Please Father, help them to turn away from sin (Acts 3:19).
+
+7. Please Father, help them to accept Christ as their Savior (John 1:12).
+
+8. Please Father, help them to obey Christ as their Lord (Matthew 7:21).
+
+9. Please Father, help them to grow in Christ and to become rooted in Him (Col. 2:6-7).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/b-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/b-appendix.md
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/b-appendix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+---
+title: Appendix B
+---
+
+### Suggestions of How to Reach Out to People
+
+1. Show them what you appreciate about them.
+
+2. Give them encouraging literature (Letters to Andrew).
+
+3. Call them and pray with them. (If they are open to this.)
+
+4. Invite them over to a meal at your house.
+
+5. Invite them out to eat at a restaurant.
+
+6. Send them birthday wishes on their birthday.
+
+7. Send them an encouraging card or something else that God places on your heart.
+
+8. Give them something that you have cooked or baked yourself.
+
+9. Invite them to join you shopping, visiting a museum, etc.
+
+10. If needed, send them a “Get Well” card or something else to show your sympathy.
+
+11. Give their child a birthday card or make them a present, if appropriate.
+
+12. Give them interesting biblical tracts (for example, the Letters to Andrew)
+
+13. Invite them to go to church with you.
+
+14. In due time, ask them if they would like to have Bible studies.
+
+15. Valuable advice: recommend a New Start course in one of our Adventist health centers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Estonia, Portugal, USA, Israel, etc. These programs are extremely invaluable for the body and soul through the combination of trust in God and natural remedies. According to a study, a positive relationship with God is the greatest factor for good health. In addition, it strengthens the other health factors (diet, exercise, rest, etc.) by more than three times. The study was conducted under the leadership of Prof. Grossarth-Maticek on 35,000 people over a period of 30 years. (Doctors Manfred Heide, Marvin H. Heide & Michaela Heide-Fassbender, Medical Wellness with Newstart-Plus, Engelsdorfer 2014, p. 334)
+
+16. We can also give people that believe in God the book Steps to Personal Revival; it is about a life with the Holy Spirit. The book is free of charge in poor countries; in other countries there is a minimal charge and has already helped many people have living faith.
+
+(The order address is on page 2 in the books and also in the appendix.)
+
+As we get to know our fellowmen better, then other good ideas will come to mind.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/c-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/c-appendix.md
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/c-appendix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+title: Appendix C
+---
+
+### The Way to Eternal Life
+
+The pamphlet The Way to Eternal Life can be downloaded or sent free of charge at www.steps-to-personal-revival.info. It can be found under: Experience God – Letters to Andrew. It is also in the Starter-Set.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/d-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/d-appendix.md
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/d-appendix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+---
+title: Appendix D
+---
+
+### Summary of Letters to Andrew
+
+**LA No. 1 – Christian Faith put to the Test**
+
+Everything hinges on honestly answering three questions. I have taken this path hundreds of times and have repeatedly experienced positive reactions and amazement.
+
+1. Does a living, all-knowing and all-powerful God exist, who loves humans?
+
+2. Is Jesus of Nazareth really the redeemer sent by God?
+
+3. Was the Bible or the Holy Scriptures really written by people under God’s authority or is it merely a human product?
+
+There are very satisfactory answers to these fundamental questions. See
+
+for yourself. Perhaps you weren’t familiar with this introduction until now.
+
+**LA No. 2 – Unique and beyond comparison: Jesus of Nazareth**
+
+The greatest character in the history of the world – unique and beyond comparison. What impact did Jesus’ life have? Why is Jesus so unique? Why did His life leave such a lasting impression, like no other biography? Who did Jesus say that He was? What did eyewitnesses say, what does history say? What did genuine doubters discover when they examined the facts?
+
+**LA No. 3 – What is the main focus of the Bible?**
+
+God’s plan of redemption is portrayed in a short and spirited manner in this Letter to Andrew. What must one do to receive fullness of life and eternal life? Large surveys showed that 98% of people questioned, had a false perception of what the main focus of the Bible was. This letter clearly shows that redemption is a gift of God and cannot and doesn’t need to be earned. It is awesome when this truth becomes clear to someone!
+
+**LA No. 4 – Pascals Bet: Does God exist or not? What are the chances?**
+
+Generally, this bet is known as “Pascal’s bet”. Blaise Pascal came to the conclusion that every sensible person had to decide for Jesus Christ even if the chances of the accuracy of the Christian teachings lay at only 50:50. Dr. Viggo Olson, a well-known surgeon and a determined opponent of faith, encountered Blaise Pascal’s statements. He and his wife fought tooth and nail against the Christian faith. But after intensive studies he became a staunch Christian. Every person has to make a decision. A person has to build their life either on the assumption that the Christian teachings are true or on the assumption that they are false. Whoever doesn’t enter this bet, automatically places a bet on the possibility that the Christian teachings are false.
+
+**LA No. 5 – Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol**
+
+The tremendous experience of Adolf is told in this letter. He was a 39-yearold truck driver, who smoked 60-70 cigarettes a day. At the same time, this is a valuable introduction to praying with promises. Since there are more than 3,000 promises, we can pray for many areas of our lives with the assurance that our prayer will be answered. It is like getting permission for unlimited withdrawal from “God’s account”. This marvelous gift of God is essential for everyone who wants to lead a victorious Christian life. How can someone become immediately and completely free from additions with God’s help? Whoever would like to know this should read this Letter to Andrew.
+
+**LA No. 6 – How do you know what the future holds?**
+
+This is a study of the prophetic book of Daniel, chapter 2. It is the basis for understanding the biblical books "Daniel" and "Revelation", both of which were written for our time. This prophecy reveals the emergence of certain world empires and the establishment of the kingdom of God. Of the six predictions, five have already been precisely fulfilled. We can therefore expect the sixth prediction to also be fulfilled. What is still to come? You will be glad to learn about this prophecy.
+
+**LA No. 7 – Prevention or healing?**
+
+This Letter to Andrew is very important in order to indirectly address prejudices in the area of belief and health. This is illustrated by the experience of Dr. Semmelweis. From whom does the science of preventive medicine come? Who helped save the lives of millions in the 14th century from the plague and in the 18th century from dysentery, cholera and typhoid? The Bible was 4,000 years ahead of science in reducing uterine cancer. How? A large-scale examination of the lifestyle of the Seventh-day Adventists shows the advantage of a healthy lifestyle. (Which is doubly important in a time of epidemics because our immune system depends on it.)
+
+**LA No. 8 – Prophecies about Jesus Christ**
+
+Probability of Fulfillment 1:10<sup>17</sup>
+
+This Letter to Andrew especially strengthens trust in Jesus of Nazareth being the divine Redeemer and the Bible being inspired by God. Different prophecies and fulfillments about Jesus’ life are compared. Eight details show why the fulfillment of these prophecies is impossible from a human standpoint.
+
+**LA No. 9 – Prophecies about four cities**
+
+They were literally fulfilled, even though the mathematical probability was 1:200 trillion.
+
+– The Golden Gate of Jerusalem – The legendary Babylon
+
+– The strange rock city of Petra – Tyre’s rise and fall
+
+**LA No. 10 – Jesus and the Sabbath**
+
+What is the relationship between Jesus and the Biblical Sabbath? This Letter to Andrew shows how the Sabbath is connected to Jesus as the Creator, as the leader of God's people, as the divine Lawgiver, as the Redeemer, as the commissioner of the prophets, as a human being, as the crucified and risen One, as a counselor for the disciples, as the Lamb of God, as returning Lord, as judge of the world and as King of the new earth. Here you will find out what the Sabbath means for Jesus Christ and for all people.
+
+**LA No. 11 – What did Jesus say about Jerusalem, His second coming and the end of the world?**
+
+What can we learn from the “mini-judgement” which took place in 70 A.D.? This Letter to Andrew shows how valuable and helpful complete trust in Jesus’ words is. At that time, all the Christians were saved, because they solely oriented themselves by Jesus’ words. Simultaneously, one million extremely religious people, who had traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover, suffered a dreadful fate. What can we learn from the story of Jerusalem regarding the end of the world and Jesus’ second coming? What decision will we make?
+
+**LA No. 12 – Sign of the return of Jesus**
+
+Is the big turning point coming – or ... the end? The disciples asked: How will we know that you are coming and that the end of the world is here? Detailed information is given on the eight signs mentioned. What was it like before the fall of Jerusalem and what is the situation like today? Final question: Are we facing the big turning point or will it soon be the end?
+
+**LA No. 13 – Seize Life through a Personal Relationship with God**
+
+Assuming – You would die today (heart attack or accident). Do you have the assurance now of eternal life with Jesus Christ? Don’t remain in the dark! Five facts will help you find an answer. Whoever searches for a relationship with God, will make the discovery of a lifetime!
+
+**LA No. 14 – Life in God’s Strength – How?**
+
+“... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV) Jesus wants us to experience this new life now and to continue it after His second coming as eternal life in God’s kingdom. This Letter to Andrew is about how we can have motivation and strength for a happy and consistent relationship to a life with Jesus.
+
+**LA No. 15 – Benefit from reading the Bible – How?**
+
+Maybe you once planned on studying for yourself the most widely read book in the world, the Bible. Some have started studying, but then quickly abandoned their plan. Probably because they hadn’t found the right way to start. You will find a 14-day test in this Letter to Andrew.
+
+**LA No. 16 – How can I experience God’s love and forgiveness?**
+
+How can I obtain forgiveness? How can the problem of my guilt be resolved? How does guilt originate? Why are there feelings of guilt without any real guilt? Why is deliverance from guilt necessary for our happiness? What is the best way to deal with guilt?
+
+**LA No. 17 – Do you have something against someone?**
+
+How can I forgive and forget? Forgiveness frees both parties! Why should we forgive others? How do I receive divine strength to forgive? How can I determine if I have really forgiven someone? What effect does it have on me and others when I forgive them?
+
+**Starter-Set Letters to Andrew**
+
+The Starter-Set contains all numbers which are necessary to start. These include No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 14 and Z1. These numbers are also already available on the website.
+
+All 17 Letters to Andrew will be available by the end of 2020. The order address, the offers and the missionary prices are under “Book Offers” on page 202. You can also download and send them for free at www. steps-topersonal-revival.info – Letters to Andrew
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/e-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/e-appendix.md
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/e-appendix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+---
+title: Appendix E
+---
+
+### Daily Prayer List
+
+**Recommendation**:
+
+If possible, please note for every person:
+
+`First and Last Name:`
+
+`Telephone Number:`
+
+`E-Mail:`
+
+`Address:`
+
+`Prayer Requests:`
+
+`Prior Notes:`
+
+`Course of Contacts:`
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/f-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/f-appendix.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..24a08d768a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/f-appendix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+---
+title: Appendix F
+---
+
+### Video Series for Teaching Faith
+
+**Websites for Youth and People seeking God**
+
+Today we have really good tools to instruct and to develop faith in God and His Word, if no teacher is available. To teach the gospel, please look for evangelistic series that contain all the important Bible truths. The series, which have 20 or more presentations, are usually very suitable. May I recommend that the leader listen to certain subjects by himself beforehand, so that he can promote the series by mentioning certain features and so that he can assess whether the participants are ready for the message yet.
+
+**Endtime Messages from Jesus**
+
+Developed by the Ministerial Association of the SDA-Church; 6 volumes, 86 sermons: Prophecy, Doctrinal, Sermons on Health, Sermons for Families, In this, we believe.https://www.gcevangelism.net/sermons/
+
+**Total Member Involvement**
+
+The website from the General Conference has helpful advice and web addresses: Total Member Involvement https://tmi.adventist.org/ – Materials TMI-tips: There are tips for Evangelism, Literature Distribution, Health and Wellness, Diabetes, Depression Recovery, Cooking School.
+
+**27 Bible Study Guides**
+
+Amazing Facts Bible Study Guides can be read online for free and even printed off for sharing and study. Several languages are available! www.amazingfacts/bible/study guides
+
+**New Beginnings – Youth Edition**
+
+You can present 26 illustrated valuable Bible Studies with completely updated high-resolution graphics complete with presenter notes. (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French)
+
+https://asiministries.org/newbeginnings/
+
+**Lifting Up Jesus**
+
+Free download of 30 lessons in 10 languages, and 16 kids-lessons http://www.liftingupjesus.net
+
+**Unsealing Daniel’s Mysteries**
+
+Download 12 topics for free by Mark Finley https://www.itiswritten.com/bible-studies-unsealing-daniels-mysteries
+
+**Hope Awakens – Evangelistic series**
+
+20 presentations by John Bradshaw: Are you trying to make sense of today’s unprecedented times? Are you prepared for what lies ahead? Are we really living during the end of times? Hope Awakens offers insight into today’s most pressing topics. CDs $ 59.99 https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
+
+**Time is Ticking Away – 20 Presentations**
+
+Pastor Doug says about this unique, power-packed Bible study series: “I meet a lot of people who are interested in future events but don’t want to be drowned with religion. In this series, we investigate the Scriptures apart from traditional religious understanding so we can determine the real history and future of our planet. ... I look forward to sharing my research with you. https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/watch/archives/o/144/t/ time-is-ticking-away
+
+**Revelation’s Ancient Discoveries**
+
+26 Presentations (3ABN); Mark Finley explores the great prophecies of the Bible revealing God’s plan for our future. https://www.youtube/revelation’s ancient discoveries
+
+**Videos on Holy Spirit and Prayer**
+
+27 presentations by Dennis Smith, 3 by Roy Rugless, 5 by Colin Hone – you find them under “Video” and “Media”. You can order the 40-Days-Books and more at the same address.
+
+https://www.spiritbaptism.org/
+
+**How to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?**
+
+Dwight Nelson – 3 sermons https://steps-to-personal-revival.info/
+
+**Steps to Personal Revival**
+
+Audiobook, 7 parts, Speaker: Mike Fenton Videosermons, 7 parts by Helmut Haubeil http://steps-to-personal-revival.info
+
+**Occult, Witchcraft and Satanism Epidemic**
+
+Sermon No. 11 https://www.gcevangelism.net/sermons/
+
+**Truth 4 Youth Evangelistic Series**
+
+For children 5-13 years of age
+
+Young Disciple’s Truth 4 Youth DVD series gives you the tools and resources you need to present a full evangelistic program to the single most important population group we can reach with the message.
+
+A complete evangelistic series for children! By far the most effective “window” of time for reaching children with the gospel is between the ages of 5 and 13. In fact, research by the Barna Institute shows that children between the ages of 5 and 13 are more than five times more likely than adults to make a lifelong commitment to Christ.
+
+www.itiswritten.shop/product/truth4youth
+
+**Youth program “Most Important Questions” – 10 Presentations**
+
+https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/watch/archives/o/116/t/ most-important-questions--miqUltimate Purpose – 4 Presentations – This short Ultimate Purpose series is good on these basic questions as well: https://www.amazingfacts.org/medialib-ray/watch/archives/o/125/t/ultimate-purpose
+
+**Formula 4 Faith – 6 Presentations**
+
+Covers the basics of salvation – Pastor Doug Batchelor takes you on a lifealtering biblical journey to uncover the essential steps of salvation, winsomely leading you in a dynamic spiritual ... https://www.amazingfacts.org/medialibray/watch/archives/o/156/t/formula-4-faith
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/highlight.md b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/16-appendix/highlight.md
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+---
+title: Highlight
+---
+
+### A heart-warming experience at the end
+
+**Louisa M. R. Stead** was born in Dover/England and emigrated to the United States with her husband around 1880. The first months were very hard until her husband found work. Their first vacation was three days at the sea. Her husband tried to save a boy who was fighting for his life in the stormy sea. Both were hit by a strong wave and drowned.
+
+Luisa was now without her husband and alone with her three-year-old daughter. After a few weeks, she had to leave her apartment because she could not pay the rent. She wrote in her diary:
+
+_“I cannot afford to keep my eyes on the problem when I have such a wonderful God who died for me. I want to look away from my problems and look to Jesus because he is willing and able to help us. If He's with me, I'm not afraid.”_
+
+She slept on a park bench with the child in her arms to warm her. Throughout the whole time, she did not ask for help, but praised God. She said:
+
+_“Lord, I have nothing right now, but there are people in the Bible who have lost everything and yet praised you. You don't have to bless me in order for me to praise You. I trust you and praise you for whatever I am experiencing.”_
+
+In the middle of the park – it was 1882 – Louisa began to write the song: _“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”_
+
+When she sang this song, a man stopped: “You must be doing very well, because you sing so beautifully.” She replied: _“I am not singing because I am fine. I am singing because I trust Jesus.”_
+
+In the course of the conversation, the man found that she had no job, her husband had died, their food was running low and she had to spend the night on this bench with her daughter. He shook his head in disbelief. “And yet you sing ...?”
+
+She replied: _“It's only a matter of time before Jesus intervenes. I'm happy just thinking about it.”_
+
+It turned out that this gentleman was one of the richest men at the time. He owned all of the railroad lines in the United States. He offered her office work, which she was very happy to take on. She did this job so well that after a short while he said to her: “You work as if you fear God. You do it so well, regardless whether someone is watching you or not.” She replied:
+
+_“You don't understand it properly, I don't work for you, I work for Jesus.”_
+
+Her conscientious work and her pronounced organizational talent led to the fact that she was always promoted and that she was ultimately responsible for the complete organization across all railway lines. The owner put it like this: “I trust her more than myself.” Her lifestyle changed. She got a very good salary, was able to buy a large house and also take good care of her daughter.
+
+**After two years she wrestled with the question, what would Jesus do in her place?**
+
+She quit her lucrative work, sold her house and went to South Africa with her daughter to work in the mission among blacks especially for children. After six months she had used up all her money. She traveled back to make money again. Then she went back to Zimbabwe with her daughter. She continued this lifestyle for the next 32 years, until her death in Zimbabwe in 1917. Her daughter continued her mother's work. Louisa lived a life of trust and commitment to her Master, whom she loved so much.
+
+(Told in a sermon in Austria by P.G. Retranslated from German by Google translation.)
+
+1. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!” _Refrain_
+
+2. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood; And in simple faith to plunge me ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood! _Refrain_
+
+3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace. _Refrain_
+
+4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. _Refrain_
+
+_Refrain:_
+Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
+
+(Melody: www.Louisa M.R.Stead)
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+title: Appendix
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/section.yml b/src/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/01-content/section.yml
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+title: Content
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+title: Spirit-Filled Coworkers of Jesus
+kind: book
+primaryColor: '#6A80A8'
+primaryColorDark: '#4E6591'
+credits:
+  - name: Author
+    value: Helmut Haubeil
+covers:
+  landscape: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/assets/cover-landscape.png
+  square: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/assets/cover-square.png
+  portrait: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/assets/cover.png
+  splash: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/spirit-filled-coworkers-of-jesus/assets/splash.png
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/00-introduction/00-description/00-description.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/00-introduction/00-description/00-description.md
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+---
+title: A Fruitful Life
+---
+
+Jesus:
+
+“... He who **abides** in Me, and I in him, bears **MUCH FRUIT** ...” John 15:5
+
+### How can I abide in Jesus?
+
+Jesus invites us: Come to Me! (Matt. 11:28) Whoever has come to Jesus is also invited to remain. (John 15:4) And how does this work?
+
+_**“Abide in Me, and I in you.”**_
+
+**“Abiding in Christ“ means:**
+
+- **a constant receiving of His Spirit**
+- **a life of unreserved surrender**
+- **to His service.”** Desire of Ages p.676.2
+
+This explanation really opened my eyes and gave me clarity for my walk with God. For me this is the secret to a happy Christian life. (John 15:11) It is my prayer and special wish that this will also show many the way to a joyful and fulfilled life. These words are the foundation for the three booklets in the series, _Steps to Personal Revival_.
+
+### What is the connection of the three booklets in the _Steps to Personal Revival_ series?
+
+1\. _Steps to Personal Revival_
+
+Being filled with the Holy Spirit
+
+How can you experience this?
+
+It is about a constant asking and **receiving of His Spirit**.
+
+2\. _Abide in Jesus_ – How is this done?
+
+It is about a **life of unreserved surrender to Jesus Christ**.
+
+3\. _Spirit-filled Co-Workers with Jesus_
+
+How can you become a Spirit-filled co-worker?
+
+It is about **unreserved surrender to His service with all its brilliant consequences**.
+
+4\. _From Lack to Abundance_
+
+How to have more of the Holy Spirit?
+
+Two insights are at stake here: What is the cause of our lack? How can I live in the wealth and power that God offers me?
+
+### Encouragement
+
+Experience has shown that the study of these precious truths is particularly blessed, when, following the personal study a daily common devotion is performed in twos. There is double blessing for couples! (With others maybe telephone, Skype) Also a daily or weekly time for conversation and prayer in a group is very stimulating.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Our Lord Himself has given the command<sup>1</sup> let yourselves be consistently and repeatedly filled anew with the Spirit!<sup>2</sup>
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, Mount of Blessing, MB 20.3
+
+<sup>2</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), S. 101
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: A Fruitful Life
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/00-introduction/01-introduction/01-introduction.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/00-introduction/01-introduction/01-introduction.md
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+---
+title: Steps To Personal Revival
+---
+
+### Filled with the Holy Spirit
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Why was it that I was suddenly and intensively occupied with the matter of “Life in the Holy Spirit“?
+
+On August 14, 2011, when I was in Kandergrund in the Bernese Highlands in Switzerland an important connection became very clear to me. I recognized a spiritual cause for why we are losing part of our youth which shocked me greatly. I thought of my children and grandchildren. Since then I have been intensively occupied with this subject.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Now I believe that the same spiritual cause is behind many of our problems; specifically, personal problems, problems in marriages and families, in local churches and the world-wide church. It is the lack of the Holy Spirit.
+
+If this is the cause, then we should urgently address this issue. If the cause can be eliminated or considerably reduced, then many problems will become superfluous or will be resolved.
+
+### What Others Have To Say About This Deficiency:
+
+- Emil Brunner: Evangelical reformed theologian, wrote that the Holy Spirit “has always more or less been the stepchild of theology.” <sup>3</sup>
+- D. Martin Lloyd-Jones: “If I may give my honest opinion, then there is no topic on biblical belief that has been so neglected in the past or present as the topic of the Holy Spirit.... I am sure that this is the cause for the weakness of the evangelical faith.” <sup>4</sup>
+- LeRoy E. Froom: “I am convinced that the lack of the Holy Spirit is our worst problem.” <sup>5</sup>
+- Dwight Nelson: “Our church has to the point of exhaustion developed admirable forms, plans and programs, but if we don’t finally admit to our spiritual bankruptcy [lack of the Holy Spirit], which has overtaken many of us ministers and leaders, then we will never be able to get out of our Pro-Forma-Christianity.” <sup>6</sup>
+
+First, we want to look at the fruits that have grown where this deficiency has been eradicated. Then we want to look at some advice that our Lord Jesus gave about the Holy Spirit.
+
+### My Wish
+
+I wish each person that is already living in the Holy Spirit to attain the fullness of the Spirit. For those who haven’t lived with the Holy Spirit or have only had an insufficient life with the Holy Spirit, I hope that this is the beginning of a new fulfilled and victorious life.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes, (Lüneburg, 1999), Cover
+
+<sup>4</sup> D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, Vollmacht, Telos-Taschenbuch Nr. 385, Marburg 1984, S. 72
+
+<sup>5</sup> Ellen G. White, The Coming of the Comforter (Hagerstown, 1949), p. 94
+
+<sup>6</sup> Editor Helmut Haubeil, Missionsbrief Nr. 34 (Bad Aibling, 2011), S. 3
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+title: Introduction
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/00-introduction/02-foreword/02-foreward.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/00-introduction/02-foreword/02-foreward.md
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+---
+title: Multiplying The Results
+---
+
+### For leaders and future leaders
+
+Dear Leader,
+
+Do you want your area to grow spiritually and numerically? But is this really possible today? Yes, it is definitely possible. How?
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “What you intend, you will not succeed by the power of an army and not by human power: No, my spirit will effect it! I promise, the LORD Almighty God.” (Zech 4:6 Hfa)
+
+How is this supposed to happen? I think we all still have much to learn here. Do we also want to learn from the experiences of others? I’m convinced of the benefits of doing so. May the Lord, through His Spirit, show us all His way to true spiritual and numerical growth.
+
+The shared experiences through Steps to Personal Revival, which about 500 readers told, show that this booklet can be of valuable assistance. But spiritual and numerical growth requires more than just reading a booklet once or distributing it. It is necessary to put the presented elements of a revival into practice. It needs your heart’s involvement. I dare say: Your area will only go as far as you go. No one can guide another, unless he himself has gone on the path before. Our lives, our prayers, our testimonies, our conversations, our influence and our sermons will be used by God. In fact, multiple reading seems to be a key: Educational research has shown that it is necessary to read such a crucial theme for our lives six to ten times before you understand it thoroughly. Try it at least once. The results will convince you.
+
+### Testimonies
+
+Two testimonies from a pastor and a Union Departmental Leader, now retired, USA:
+
+1\. **Testimonies**—I read your book Steps to Personal Revival three times. I never thought I would find such new insights about prayer. Prayer, which is based on God’s promises like you explained. **Since then, God has achieved victories in my life that I never thought possible.**—I have been invited to preach at a camp meeting. Your book gave me the topic.
+
+—June 26, 2017—F.S. Abbreviated
+
+2\. **Testimonies**—Since I started reading your book (I have read it 6 times according to the advice in the book) and learned how to pray with promises, my life has been transformed. ...The Lord guided me to prepare a sermon for the camp meeting about our greatest need, the refreshing showers of the Spirit of God. **In all the years I dedicated to the ministry, I have never felt the power of the Holy Spirit moving among people as among those 3,000 in that auditorium.**
+
+—My wife has noticed a complete change in me. Even I am surprised at myself. July 25th, 2017—F.S. Abbreviated
+
+**40 Days Concept—from 17 to 65 members**
+
+The small church in Cologne-Kalk, Germany, had 17 German, Spanish and Portuguese members. Pastor J. Lotze invited them to carry out the 40 Day concept. They studied a 40 Days book in groups of two, each one prayed daily for five unreached people and they established personal contact with them. On the 40th day they had a visitor’s sabbath and after that was a 14-day evangelistic campaign. They were able to baptize 13 people within a short time. They repeated the 40 Days concept several times and have grown to 65 members within 4 years. (See 40 Days books for the 40 Days concept and go to “Experiences” No.19 to find more about the experience from Cologne.)
+
+**Lugano**, Italian speaking area of Switzerland—very secular
+
+Pastor Matthias Maag had excellent experiences as a missionary in South Africa with the 40 Days books by Dennis Smith. When he returned to Switzerland, he started immediately with this concept. There were 15 baptisms in the first year [which is very extraordinary in this region]. One lady had been a regular visitor at the church for 15 years. During the 40 Days she decided to be baptized.
+
+**Youth**
+
+My name is Alina van Rensburg and I’m the Young Adult Director for the South Queensland Conference [12,200 members in Australia]. I had a young lady share Steps to Personal Revival with me at the beginning of this year and I was absolutely blown away. It explores the exact theme that God placed on the hearts of my husband and myself: awakening to the Holy Spirit in our lives!!—I could tell you so many stories, but in essence, we have been so blessed by this little book! Greg Pratt [Discipleship and Spiritual Development Director SQC] had an extra 300 books that I distributed to all of my young adult leaders at our leadership meetings earlier this year and the response has been absolutely incredible. So now I would like to source an extra 150 books to give my young adults at Big Camp this year, to study during Life Group Sessions.
+
+**366 baptisms + 35 in baptismal class**
+
+The Secretary of the Burundi Union, Paul Irakoze, [130,000 members, 100,000 Steps to Personal Revival in Kirundi], said that as a whole 320 former members came back through the influence of the brochure. They were accepted by a new baptism in March 2017.
+
+Deaf people read the booklet three times. Then they shared their experiences with other hearing impaired people. Result: In March 2017, we baptized 25 deaf people.
+
+**Prisoners**—We distributed the booklet to our church members in Mpimba Prison. They were moved by the Holy Spirit and started sharing their faith. This last Sabbath, 21 prisoners were baptized and 35 are preparing for baptism. This is the fruit of the booklet Steps to Personal Revival. abbreviated
+
+**Study Period/Week of Prayer**—The Burundi Union had a week of prayer for their 130,000 members in Nov. 2017 using _Steps to Personal Revival_ again. The sermons of our Secretary on this topic were also broadcast on the Adventist radio station every evening.
+
+**Students**—Pastor Dwight Nelson, Leading Pastor of Andrews University, said that this little book “changed the inside of me. I want to do the same for you.” On Sept. 2nd 2017 he started a series of three sermons: “Ground Zero and the New Reformation: How to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?” He quoted from Steps to Personal Revival and recommended it to everyone. That led to 4,000 downloads and the order of thousands booklets. Link to these sermons and his blog: www.pmchurch.tv/sermons or www.steps-topersonal-revival.info
+
+**An excellent idea—from USA**
+
+I listened to the sermon series by Dwight Nelson yesterday. As I introduce the book Steps to Personal Revival to my church this Sabbath, I will play the first 5 minutes in hopes that his testimony in regards to the book will ignite some interest. After potluck, with my Pastors permission, we will show the rest of the sermon to those interested! D. W.
+
+**Evangelism**
+
+Dwight Nelson writes in his blog Oct. 11, 2017 (shortened and edited) Ninety-one “guests” (as they call them) joined with Zagreb Adventists in the nightly ninety-minute program. ...On a personal note and in grateful appreciation for your intercessory prayers, I need to testify I’ve not had an experience of public evangelistic preaching quite like this one in Zagreb in all the years I’ve been involved in evangelism. As I told the pastors here at Pioneer, I’m absolutely certain it was and remains the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s own full-court intervention day and night in that city in response to concerted prayer. I remind you, many of us back in September began seeking God for a daily baptism of the Holy Spirit (as Christ invites us to do in Luke 11:13). Which is why I can be confident in attributing what I personally experienced and witnessed in Zagreb to His direct work. All of which says nothing about me—but says everything about the veracity of Jesus’ promise—“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses ...”(Acts 1:8) So whatever we do, let’s not abandon our daily seeking for the Spirit of God’s fresh, empowering baptism every morning.
+
+**Reconciliation**
+
+There are very good experiences of individuals and families (see experience nos. 2/17; 3/31; 3/35; 3/40; 4/52; 4/56). Experiences of entire churches going from tensions, quarrels, divisions, injuries, no forgiveness, emotional outbursts and personal attacks to loving and peaceful forgiveness and reconciliation (experiences no. 1/10; 7/84).
+
+**Young Mother—Kids—USA**
+
+Indeed, I sense a great responsibility in raising three little boys. I have and can see that the only hope I have is to daily ask for the Holy Spirit to possess me each day. Since reading your book, I have seen what a difference it has made in the behaviour of my boys. I have patience where I normally wouldn’t have patience; I have love and compassion where I would have frustration. And they are more often than not responding with a surrendered heart. We are growing certainly, but how thankful I am to understand the simple truth of how Jesus can live in me! D. W.
+
+**90% of the newly baptized members are well integrated in the church after two years.**
+
+The Rwanda union wrote on February 14, 2019: “We have been greatly blessed by the book Steps to Personal Revival (130,000 copies in Kinyarwanda). In 2016 we conducted a country-wide mission program “Total Member Involvement”. Subsequently, by God’s grace 110,000 people were baptized in 2016 and the beginning of 2017. At their baptism each person was given a copy of this book as a present. Thanks to this book 90% of the newly baptized have become active church members. It is a very good book that shows how a person can have a relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.” MKN (slightly abbreviated)
+
+**‘How to raise interest?’** Under this menu point you will find valuable suggestions. One thing, which is very easy to start, is the suggestion of “Coordinated Reading”. The strongest incentive is through holding a “seminar”. You can hold it yourself, or have a guest speaker (or use a video; only available in certain languages.) You can still enhance the experience of a seminar if you have “Coordinated Reading” before or after the seminar.
+
+**My request**: May I—as an older brother—recommend to you: pray and read the booklet several times with someone who is near to you. This will notably influence the progress in your group, church or conference.
+
+**Could the next step** be to share your insights and experiences with the Pastors, Elders and other key-members? It is so important to reach their hearts. That is how Ethiopia started. In July 2017, 500 pastors received the booklet in Amharic at the end of a revival-week.—In the North Philippines Union the booklet was presented at a prayer-conference in Filipino to 1,500 Elders in June 2017.
+
+**Experiences**
+
+Publish personal testimonies in our papers. This is a great source of inspiration. If necessary, testimonies can also be used from www.steps-to-personal-revival.info—Testimonies
+
+#### Dear Leader!
+
+Let us grow in the Holy Spirit. The Lord himself has given the command [MB20.3]: “Let yourselves be constantly and repeatedly filled anew with the Spirit”. (Eph 5:18)
+
+Christ in us and the Holy Spirit make us “heralds of good tidings” (Is 40:9). Don’t forget Jesus’ last words on earth: “But you will receive the Holy Spirit and be my witnesses through His power [ability, equipping, supernatural power].” (Acts 1:8)
+
+Your Brother in Christ Jesus
+
+_Helmut Haubeil_
+
+### Prominent Words
+
+**Bring our churches closer to Jesus**
+
+I would like to thank you for translating and using this book for our entire Union. The encouragement and teachings contained in this book have personally blessed me, and I am sure that the Holy Spirit will use them to bring our church closer to Jesus and personally experience the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit at work.
+
+B. F. EE 070818 President of a 500,000-member Union, #104
+
+**I asked God: Show me what I miss!**
+
+I want to praise God for the book Steps to Personal Revival. My way with God has been a bit difficult lately. I asked God to reveal to me what I miss. I often hear the broadcasts from 3ABN. It was about 2 a.m. when a calm voice woke me. When I awoke, I heard 3ABN and the speakers just mentioned the theme “Holy Spirit” and referred to the website steps-to-personal-revival. info. I immediately downloaded the book and have been reading it ever since in my devotional time. This booklet has opened my spiritual eyes. I now recognize more clearly how crucial the Holy Spirit is and why he works here with us. I always knew he existed but could not grasp the dimension. This booklet made me understand who he is and what role he plays in my spiritual journey and also how important it is to invite the Holy Spirit on a daily basis to fight the old selfishness and other sinful desires. I have been reading this booklet out one after the other. It has made me very blessed. Now I also understand why my spiritual path has been so stony so far: I was not connected to the Holy Spirit, the source of power. I will pray for you.
+
+R. V. EE220618 from Australia, #108
+
+**We suffer from spiritual not financial poverty**
+
+Late last year, I attended a meeting at Spicer Adventist University. The main US speaker had a copy of Steps to Personal Revival. His speeches were from this book. He said, “We suffer from spiritual, not financial poverty.”
+
+R. K. EE070219 from Bangladesh, #94
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/00-introduction/02-foreword/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/00-introduction/02-foreword/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What was always theology’s “stepchild”? What consequences does that have?`
+
+`2. What promise can we claim? (Zechariah 4:6) What could this mean for you and your church?`
+
+`3. What important conditions have to be met in order to expect good results?`
+
+`4. Which of the quoted experiences especially touched you and why?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] for a heart that is receptive, eager to learn and is open to the working of the Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] for a clearer understanding of where you haven’t paid enough attention to the working of the Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] for all the pastors, teachers and other leaders in the church—that they will experience the power of the Holy Spirit and be willing to be led by Him.
+- [ ] for personal experiences with God—how He can work through the Holy Spirit in you.
\ No newline at end of file
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+title: Foreword
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+title: Introduction
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-what-did-jesus-teach-about-the-holy-spirit/01-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-what-did-jesus-teach-about-the-holy-spirit/01-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+---
+title: What did Jesus teach about the Holy Spirit? Are you acquainted with Jesus’ most powerful message?
+---
+
+### A Few Of The First Personal Testimonies
+
+**Back to our “first love”**: A sister wrote to me: My friend and I are currently studying the 40 Days book for the third time, alternating with the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_. Before we discovered this material our faith experience and prayer life wasn’t what it had once had been. We longed to find our “first love” again. We have found it! We thank God with our whole hearts. It is so wonderful how our loving God answers prayers and that He reveals how His Spirit is working—on us and on the people we are praying for. M. S.
+
+Jesus entered our lives: Another person wrote about these books: “... they have become a great and long-awaited blessing in my life. Just like many other church members and a sister from our church have experienced, something was always missing in our faith experience and now we have had the privilege of experiencing how Jesus has entered our lives and has begun to change us. He is still working on us and step by step is drawing us closer to Him.” S. K.
+
+**Did Jesus’ disciples ask themselves: How can Jesus exercise such a great influence?** Was it connected with His prayer life? That is why they asked Him: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus responded to their request.
+
+His prayer lesson in Luke 11:1-13 has three parts: The Lord’s Prayer, the parable of the friend coming at midnight and as a climax, the continual request for the Holy Spirit.
+
+In the parable (verses 5-8) visitors arrive at a man’s home late in the evening and he has nothing to serve them. Because of his need, he immediately goes to his neighbor. He explains to him that “he has nothing” and asks for bread. He continues to ask until he finally receives the bread. Now he has bread the bread of life. Now he can share with his guests. We learn here that we have to come to Jesus so that we can share with other people. When we want to pass on the bread of life, then we often realize that we have nothing at all!
+
+Now Jesus links this parable (problem: I have nothing) with the request for the Holy Spirit by saying: “Therefore I say to you, ask, and it will be given you.” (Luke 11:9 NKJV) Then follows:
+
+### Jesus’ Special Appeal: Therefore Ask For The Holy Spirit
+
+There is a particular Bible passage in which Jesus emphatically commands us to ask for the Holy Spirit. I know of no other passage where Jesus so lovingly urged us to take something to heart. These verses are found in His lesson on prayer in Luke 11. There He emphasized 10 times that we should ask for the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:9-13 NKJV:
+
+“So I say to you, **ask**, and it will be given to you; **seek**, and you will find; **knock**, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who **asks** receives, and he who **seeks** finds, and to him who **knocks** it will be opened. If a son **asks** for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he **asks** for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he **asks** for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who **ask** Him!”
+
+In these few verses Jesus used the verb **“ask”** six times; then he replaced **“ask”** and emphasized it with **“seek”** two times—an action—and two more times with **“knock”**—also an action word. 
+
+Doesn’t He clearly show us that we have to take action in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit? The last “ask” is used in the continuous tense in Greek. That means that we aren’t to ask only once, but rather to ask continuously. Here Jesus not only makes asking a matter of urgency but implores us to ask continually. Certainly He also wants to awaken our desire for the Holy Spirit with this heartfelt invitation. This urgent invitation shows us Jesus’ conviction that we would be missing something crucial, if we don’t continually ask for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He was clearly calling our attention to the fact that we absolutely need the Holy Spirit. In this way He wants us to continually receive the rich blessings of the Holy Spirit.
+
+In Christ’s Object Lessons it says: “God does not say, ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask, to unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks.” <sup>7</sup>
+
+Jesus then gave three examples, which show behavior that is unimaginable even for sinful human fathers. He wanted to show us that it is even more unimaginable that our heavenly Father wouldn’t give us the Holy Spirit when we ask. Jesus wants us to be sure that we will receive the Holy Spirit when we ask in the appropriate way. With this promise and other promises we can ask in faith and know that we have already received what we requested. (1 Joh 5:14,15; more information in chapter 5)
+
+This special invitation shows us that according to Jesus something essential is missing when we don’t persistently ask for the Holy Spirit. He draws it to our attention that we absolutely need the Holy Spirit. He wants us to continually experience the rich blessings of the Holy Spirit.
+
+This part of His lesson on prayer is a unique process. The Holy Spirit is God’s greatest gift—the gift which brings all the other gifts with it. This was Jesus’ crowning gift to His disciples and clear proof of His love. I think we can understand that such a valuable gift wouldn’t be pushed on someone. It is only given to those who express their desire for this gift and appreciate it.
+
+He will be given to those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus; He will be given to those who live in continual commitment. (John 15: 4-5) Commitment is expressed by:
+
+- A yearning for God (“whoever thirsts” John 7:37)
+- Trust in God (“he who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said” John 7:38)
+- Complete surrender as a result of trusting God (“placing your whole life at God’s disposal” Rom 12:1)
+- Following God in everything (“those who obey Him” Acts 5:32)
+- We confess every known sin (“If we confess our sins, he ...will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9)
+- Give up their own way, go God’s way and do this according to God’s will (“repent and be baptized” Acts 2:38)
+- Not to plan anything wrong (“if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” Ps 66:18)
+- Realize and admit to our great need (“I have nothing” Luke 11:6)
+- Continually ask for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13)
+
+Can’t you clearly see how valuable this gift is? When you think about all these prerequisites, then you will probably find deficiencies in yourself.
+
+I have made it my habit to pray daily for a desire for the Holy Spirit in connection with John 7:37 NKJV: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”<sup>8</sup>
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> We can pray: “Lord Jesus, I completely say yes to all the prerequisites for receiving the Holy Spirit. I sincerely ask that you now, today, fulfill them in me.” Our wonderful God is even there for us in fulfilling the prerequisites.
+
+### The Holy Spirit Is The Source Of A Fulfilled Life
+
+According to Jesus, why did He come to this earth? He said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
+
+Jesus wants us to experience this new Holy Spirit-filled life now and to continue it in a completely different dimension after His second coming in God’s kingdom throughout eternity.
+
+He also shows us that the source of a fulfilled life is the Holy Spirit:
+
+“... ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit ...” (John 7:37-39 NKJV)
+
+“Rivers of living water”—isn’t that a good picture of a fulfilled life?
+
+### During His Life Here On Earth Did Jesus Give Us A Corresponding Example?
+
+We know that Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18). We know that after His baptism He prayed: “And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him ...” (Luke 3:22) Under these circumstances was it necessary and important that He receive the Holy Spirit daily? Why does He admonish us to repeatedly ask for the Holy Spirit? I quote from Ellen G. White: “Morning by morning he communicated with his Father in heaven, receiving from him daily a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit.” <sup>9</sup>
+
+There is a statement in Acts of the Apostles : “To the consecrated worker
+
+there is wonderful consolation in the knowledge that even Christ during
+
+His life on earth sought His Father daily for fresh supplies of needed grace ... .” <sup>10</sup>
+
+Jesus indeed was an example to us in this. We have to ask ourselves: If Jesus daily needed a refreshing from the Holy Spirit, then how much more important is it for you and me?
+
+The apostle Paul really understood Jesus’ objective. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul confirms in chapter 1:13 that they had been sealed by the Holy Spirit when they became believers. In chapter 3:16-17 he encourages them to be strong in the Spirit. In chapter 4:30 he admonishes them: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God”. And in chapter 5:18 (NKJV) Paul, as an authorized apostle, calls the Ephesians and us to: “... be filled with the Spirit” or “let yourselves be continuously and repeatedly filled again with the Spirit”. <sup>11</sup> We see that even if we received the Holy Spirit when we were born again, that we in general need a daily refreshing. Therefore, it is important for the spiritual life and growth of a Christian, that they be daily filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+Our _Sabbath School Study Guide_ says the following about Ephesians 5:18: “What does it mean ‘to be baptized’ with the Holy Spirit? Jesus personally explained this with a synonym. A person is ‘baptized’ with the Holy Spirit (Act 1:5) when the Holy Spirit ‘has come upon’ them (v. 8). To be baptized means to be fully immersed in something—usually water. This involves the whole person. Baptism with the Holy Spirit means to be completely under the influence of the Holy Spirit—to be completely ‘filled’ by Him. This isn’t a one-time experience, but rather something that has to be continually repeated, as Paul illustrates in Ephesians 5:18b with the tense of the Greek verb ‘filled’. ” <sup>12</sup>
+
+### Jesus’ Farewell Words And The Holy Spirit
+
+In Jesus’ farewell words He conveyed joy and hope by telling them that the Holy Spirit would come in His place. Jesus tells the disciples something surprising in John 16:7: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
+
+### A New Advantageous Solution
+
+Jesus told the disciples something surprising: “It is to your advantage that I go away.” This means that the new solution, that He is with us through the Holy Spirit, is more advantageous than Jesus being personally present. In this way He isn’t limited, but rather He can be by each person, no matter where He currently is.
+
+### A Personal Testimony From A Teacher And One Of Her Students:
+
+When the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_ from H. Haubeil was handed out in my home church about a year ago, I read it through very quickly. Already while reading it I had more experiences with God than ever before—this fascinated and encouraged me.
+
+In the booklet’s appendix I found the following suggestion: “Pedagogical research has shown that it is necessary to read or listen six to ten times to a vital topic till we have thoroughly understood it.”
+
+These encouraging words captivated my attention: “Try it at least once. The result will convince you.”
+
+I wanted to experience that and already by the third reading it seized me and I felt a great love for our Redeemer, which I had yearned for my whole life. Within two months I had read it through six times and the result was worth it.
+
+It was as if I could understand what it would be like when Jesus comes close to us and we can look into His pure, kind and loving eyes. From then on I didn’t want to be without this joy in our Savior.
+
+When I woke up in the morning I already yearned for my morning worship time in order to again experience fellowship with God and during the day I prayed quietly that the Holy Spirit would help me with my thoughts during conversations, my example, while teaching and communicating.
+
+When a child craved attention and acted accordingly, God gave me strength and wisdom to deal with it.
+
+Since then my work days are filled with the presence of the Creator. He helps me literally in my everyday life. Since then I pray in the morning and in between times for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is as if you are closer to heaven and can already taste what it will be like there.
+
+While reading the booklet the thought came to me that my students in the school should also share in this experience. I teach the 10–15 year-olds in our Elijah Adventist School in Vorarlberg, Austria. So I prayed for God to give me opportunities. Very soon afterwards I had one of my most wonderful experiences with how the Holy Spirit can work in young people’s hearts.
+
+### A 13 Year-old Ruffian And The Holy Spirit
+
+The experience started a year before I read the booklet on the Holy Spirit. A new student came to our school and within a few days our peaceful oasis was changed into a rough scuffle room. The boy was 13 years-old then—he was the biggest of all the children and correspondingly strong. Many things that had been learned during the school year and had brought wonderful fruit seemed to disappear in a moment.
+
+Let him share it in his own words: “When I came to my present school, I had no idea what awaited me. On my second day of school I let myself get provoked, snapped and started a fight with one of my classmates. I hit him even though he was considerably weaker than I was, berated him and never wanted to see him again.
+
+Later I realized my mistake and apologized, just as I always had in the past. After that I had a conversation with the headmaster. In the next months a process started in me. It is astonishing that this process had only now started since I was a pastor’s son. I started to spend more time with Jesus.”
+
+I thought that this young person would need extra special attention. He was aware of his failure, regretted it and tried again, but he didn’t have long-lasting success in his own strength. At first, hardly a day would go by when he wasn’t in a fight, but gradually it got better.
+
+After 6 months he said he thought it was the prayers that had brought him closer to God. In the meantime he had started praying for strength in the morning. His fits of rage and fights became less frequent.
+
+Eleven months had now gone by since he came to our school and we could see even more improvements. But his anger, his swearing outbursts and his fists weren’t permanently under control.
+
+It was only natural: he tried to win in his own strength and understanding, which worked sometimes and other times not at all. Our prayers had made some achievement, but his mindset still wasn’t right and the renewing power of the Spirit was missing.
+
+What good does it do, when a person sees their mistakes, tries to control their temper and in the next moment fails again? Just at the time when I realized that I was at my wits’ end, I received the booklet mentioned above. It came at just the right time. Then I realized what we were missing. It was the power of the Holy Spirit. We hadn’t even asked Him to help us!
+
+Since I had been touched by the message of _Steps to Personal Revival_ I got up my courage to ask the boy if he had ever prayed for the Holy Spirit. No—he never had. Then I tried to awaken his interest in the booklet. I didn’t give it to him though. He should really want it. And very soon he did ask for the booklet.
+
+Again in his own words: “In November 2012 my teacher gave me the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_. I eagerly started to read it. At that time I wasn’t really acquainted with the work of the Holy Spirit.”
+
+Within the first day he had already devoured almost two chapters and then he asked me how many times I had read it. He immediately started to read the chapters again and wanted to do exactly what the booklet suggested: reading it 6–10 times.
+
+Since then a lot has changed. From December 2012 on there weren’t any more fist fights or scuffles—I could hardly believe it. The boys that he had beaten up every day became his friends and they get along harmoniously.
+
+He has completely changed—he is polite and even obliging and peacefulness has taken over his aggressive nature. His classmates can confirm that God was at work. You can see the fruits every day. To God’s glory I want to mention that the boy decided to get baptized in June 2013. If that wasn’t the Holy Spirit...?!
+
+I had always thought that I could manage a child and make him see reason. Patience, attention and lots of talks would do it, but it just didn’t work long-term. God had to intervene and taught me that it is His Spirit who makes the impossible possible.
+
+Someday when this boy is in heaven, then I will know that God brought it about. When I was at the end of my wisdom and finally understood that I couldn’t guide him, then God started to radically work on him. It encourages me to see that there are no hopeless cases for God. C. P.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for Jesus’ urgent invitation to ask for the Holy Spirit. I am sorry for the losses I have experienced because of a lack of the Holy Spirit. I need divine assistance so that Jesus can become greater in me. I need His help in every area of my life. Thank you that the Holy Spirit can change my character and can make me fit for God’s kingdom. I completely surrender myself to you with all that I am and have. Thank you for accepting me and giving me your blessings. Help me to grow in knowledge about the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>7</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (1900), p. 145.3
+
+<sup>8</sup> It is worthwhile to pray with promises. If you want to know more about this, please read chapter 4 of Steps to Personal Revival.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, November 21, 1895, par. 3
+
+<sup>10</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (1911) p. 56.1
+
+<sup>11</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), S. 101
+
+<sup>12</sup> Sabbath School Study Guide July 17, 2014
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-what-did-jesus-teach-about-the-holy-spirit/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-what-did-jesus-teach-about-the-holy-spirit/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What word did Jesus use most often when He taught about prayer? (Luke 11:1-13—the Lord’s Prayer, parable, appeal?)`
+
+`2. What problem in the parable about perseverance in prayer caused Jesus to make the appeal that we ask for the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`3. What impresses you the most about Jesus’ appeal to ask for the Holy Spirit? What can we learn from His example?`
+
+`4. How is our commitment to God manifested in our daily lives?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that we will daily be aware that we need to ask by faith for the Holy Spirit in order to receive Him.
+- [ ] for “thirst”, so that we go more often to the living fountain.
+- [ ] for an even clearer picture of Jesus and to learn from Him—how we can keep a close connection with our heavenly Father.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-what-did-jesus-teach-about-the-holy-spirit/info.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-what-did-jesus-teach-about-the-holy-spirit/info.yml
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+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/01-what-did-jesus-teach-about-the-holy-spirit/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: What did Jesus teach about the Holy Spirit? Are you acquainted with Jesus’ most powerful message?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/section.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/section.yml
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/01-jesus-most-precious-gift/section.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 1: Jesus’ Most Precious Gift"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-is-there-a-spiritual-cause/02-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-is-there-a-spiritual-cause/02-chapter.md
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-is-there-a-spiritual-cause/02-chapter.md
@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+---
+title: Is there a spiritual cause behind our problems? Is the cause a lack of the Holy Spirit?
+---
+
+### Why Is There A Lack Of The Holy Spirit?
+
+The Bible’s answer is: “Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss (according to the carnal mind, Rom 8:5-7), that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (Jas 4:2,3 NKJV)
+
+Our Lord Jesus invited us lovingly and insistently to ask for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13). We understand that we should do this continually. In the third chapter we will look at this more closely.
+
+“They talk about Christ and about the Holy Spirit, yet receive no benefit. They do not surrender the soul to be guided and controlled by the divine agencies.” <sup>13</sup>
+
+We have been praying for a revival for some time. This is very valuable. Ellen G. White said: “It is this baptism of the Holy Spirit that the churches need today.” <sup>14</sup> “Why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit, since this is the means by which we are to receive power? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, preach concerning it?” <sup>15</sup>
+
+It is good that we pray for revival, but we shouldn’t only pray for it, but rather—as Mark Finley says—it is “**as well put into practice the biblical elements of revival**.”<sup>16</sup> May I invite you to take the necessary steps to experience personal revival? For many this will lead to a more powerful and fulfilled life.
+
+To start with, we want to analyze the problem. We want to do this thoroughly; otherwise there is the danger that we will consider a change neither necessary nor important. After that we want to look at God’s solution, which offers us tremendous blessing and finally, how we can implement this and experience this.
+
+Our lack of the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean that everything we have done and are doing is in vain. There were and are many very good plans and programs. The Lord has surely blessed our human efforts. But how much greater the results and how much better the situation could be, if we would actually live more closely with the Holy Spirit? Only God knows that.
+
+It would have gone in this direction and would go in this direction in the future as Henry T. Blackaby expressed it:
+
+“He (God) could do more in six months with a people that are devoted to Him, than we could do in sixty years without Him.” <sup>17</sup>
+
+It is the question of immediately going the right way under God’s leadership and thus having much greater effectiveness (efficiency). That is the case when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+Example: Someone holds a sermon. He has finished speaking maybe noone, a few, many or all accept the message. If many or all accepted the message and put it into practice, then this is great effectiveness. This is something the Holy Spirit gives.
+
+### Three Groups Of People And Their Personal Relationships To God
+
+God’s Word differentiates between three groups of people in respect to their personal relationships with God. Within each of these groups there are many different shades depending on the parental training, character, training of oneself, age, culture, education, etc. But even with all the differences there are only three basic attitudes towards God:
+
+- No relationship—the Bible calls this the **natural** or **wordly** man.
+- Full, real relationship—the Bible calls this person **spiritual** or **spirit filled**.
+- Divided or feigned relationship—the Bible describes this as a person of the **flesh** or **carnal**.
+
+The terms “natural”, “spiritual” and “carnal” in God’s Word are not evaluations in this case. They merely describe a person’s personal relationship to God.
+
+These three groups are described in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. Right now we only want to touch lightly on the subject of the natural man. He lives in the world. A quick glance at the two groups within the church will help us realize where the problem is mainly hidden. The most important thing to realize is to which group I myself belong. Thus our examination also helps our self-diagnosis. We want to take a look at our own lives and not the lives of others.
+
+**What is the criteria for designation to one group or the other?** What determines which group I am currently in? We will see that in all three groups the designation occurs according to one’s personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.
+
+### The Natural Man
+
+“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:14 NKJV)
+
+The natural man has absolutely no relationship with the Holy Spirit. He lives in the world and doesn’t inquire about God at all or only rarely inquires about God.
+
+### Spiritual And Carnal Are In The Church
+
+These two groups are mainly introduced in 1 Corinthians 2 and 3 as well as in Romans 8:1-17 and Galatians 4 and 6. We need to note that the criterion for these two groups is their relationship to the Holy Spirit. This is so, because God has stipulated that the Holy Spirit is our only connection to heaven. (The Desire of Ages, p. 322; Matt 12:32) “The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received.” <sup>18</sup>
+
+### The Spiritual Church Member
+
+Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:15-16: “But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him? (Isa 40:13) But we have the mind of Christ.“ (NKJV) “The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (NIV)
+
+The spiritual person is the true Christian. He is called “spiritual“, because he is filled with the Holy Spirit. Here too, the relationship with the Holy Spirit is the criteria needed for the designation of a spiritual person. He has a good and growing relationship with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is “in the center of his life”; we also say sometimes that Jesus reigns in our hearts. The spiritual person has committed himself essentially and completely to Jesus and as a general rule this is confirmed daily by surrendering himself to Jesus every morning with everything he is and has. In the message to the Laodicean church, this Christian is called “hot”, in the parable about the 10 virgins he is called “wise”. Romans 8:1-17 and Galatians 5 say even more about him. He experiences life “more abundantly” (John 10:10) or as Paul expresses it: “That you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19; Col 2:9)
+
+### The Carnal Church Member
+
+A person can be a member for a short time or for many years and still be a carnal Christian. If to your surprise you find that you are a carnal Christian at the moment, then don’t be upset about it, but rather be glad, because you have the possibility of changing it immediately. You will experience great joy through a life with the Holy Spirit. I am convinced that most carnal Christians are unknowingly in this condition and have a desire to experience more in their faith. Their ignorance is often not even their fault.
+
+Consider: you will experience great joy through a life with Christ in your heart through the Holy Spirit. (Jesus in John 15:11: “and that your joy may be full.”) Through this change you will step by step experience life abundantly (Jesus in John 10:10—more on this later) and you will have wellfounded hope for eternal life.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: Father in heaven, please make me willing to ask myself this question. If I am a carnal Christian, then please help me to realize this right away. Make me willing to be willing for everything you want. Please lead me to a happy Christian life—to the promised life in abundance and to eternal life. Please renew my heart. Thank you for answering my prayer. Amen.
+
+Let’s read what the apostle Paul had to say to carnal church members in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NKJV): “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul’, and another, ‘I am of Apollos’, are you not carnal?”
+
+Can you clearly see here that the criteria for the designation into this group is the personal relationship with the Holy Spirit? In these few verses the apostle Paul mentions four times that they are carnal. What does carnal mean? It means: this person lives from the power of the flesh, that is the normal strength and abilities a person has. Furthermore, it means that he isn’t filled with the Holy Spirit or isn’t sufficiently filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+Some people think this group only consists of people who live in blatant sin. But that is only one of the many shades within this group. I want to stress again that there are a lot of differences within each of these groups.
+
+Paul addressed the carnal people as “dear brothers”. This shows that he was dealing with church members. Paul couldn’t speak to them “as to spiritual people”. That means that: They weren’t filled with the Holy Spirit or weren’t sufficiently filled with the Holy Spirit. He had to speak to them “as babes in Christ”. This shows that they haven’t grown in faith as they should have. A person can have great biblical knowledge and still not grow spiritually. Spiritual growth has to do with our complete dedication to Jesus and a constant life in the Holy Spirit.
+
+Many carnal Christians feel dissatisfaction, disappointment, purposelessness or are under constant stress in their spiritual life.
+
+Other carnal church members have gotten used to this condition or are satisfied with this condition. They might say: “We are just sinners! We can’t do anything about it!”
+
+Again other carnal Christians might be enthusiastic. They are glad that they know Biblical truth. Carnal church members can be very active and even have leading positions in the local church or even in the church administration. They may even do a lot for God.
+
+Matt 7:22-23 (NKJV): “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice iniquity!’”
+
+Where did the problem lie? Jesus said that He didn’t know them. They didn’t have a real relationship with Christ, but rather only a feigned relationship. Either there hadn’t been a real commitment or it hadn’t been maintained. Jesus didn’t live in their hearts through the Holy Spirit. Thus they had no personal relationship with Christ. “So there may be an apparent connection with Christ ...” <sup>19</sup> When is Christ NOT in us? I have read some serious words about this. Before I mention them, I want to point out that we can be free from the following things if we live a life with the Holy Spirit:
+
+“A spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ would deny Him, whatever the profession. Men may deny Christ by evilspeaking, by foolish talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny Him by shunning life’s burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. **In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them**.” <sup>20</sup>
+
+This can quickly change by the grace of God. We will come back to this in the third and fifth section.
+
+### Why Is Surrendering Our Lives And Making A Commitment To God Important?
+
+God’s Word says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom 12:1 NKJV)
+
+“God desires to heal us, to set us free [from the tyranny of our ego and the bondage of sin]. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him.” <sup>21</sup> Our ego is offended, jealous, annoyed, resentful, etc. God wants to free us of these attitudes.
+
+“He [God] invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” <sup>22</sup>
+
+God answers our basic commitment with rebirth (John 3:1-21). After that it has to do with staying surrendered (John 15:1-17). We’ll talk about this more in the third section.
+
+Morris Venden says about surrendering our lives to God: “There is no such thing as a partial surrender. It’s no more possible to be partially surrendered than it is possible to be a little bit pregnant. Either you are or you aren’t. There is no middle ground.” <sup>23</sup>
+
+Ellen White said the following about daily surrender:“Only those who will become co-workers with Christ, only those who will say, Lord, all I have and all I am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons and daughters of God.” <sup>24</sup>
+
+So a person can be in the church and still be lost. How tragic! (The parable about the 10 virgins and the message to the Laodicea church also illustrate this.)
+
+### Why Is Carnal Christianity So Difficult To Identify?
+
+Since a carnal person’s life is filled with “religion”, he often doesn’t realize that he is missing something vital: an intimate and saving relationship with God. If Christ isn’t allowed to govern our whole life, then He is standing in front of the door knocking (Rev 3:20). And He says: If this doesn’t change, then I will spit you out.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
+
+And something else plays a part. Through our strong doctrinal foundation, which is based on the Bible, we have strong convictions. (At the same time we still want to stay open to further insights.) We have the certainty that we believe the truth; that thrills us. We have a lot of good knowledge. We say the right things. That is what makes it so difficult to identify the carnal problem. Doesn’t it play a role if I have ever really lived with the Holy Spirit? If not, then can I even notice the difference?
+
+A pastor wrote: “I just received a call from a sister who is taking part in our 40 Days prayer time. (Particulars about the 40 Days prayer time are in chapter 5.) She said that it has changed her life. **She had wondered her whole life what was missing in her spiritual life and now she knew—the Holy Spirit**. I wish you could have heard her testimony. She said that she noticed for the first time in her life that she has a relationship with God. ... Others have also already noticed the change in her life.” <sup>25</sup> We can see that a person can notice that something is missing, but doesn’t know what. Many have a desire for more and don’t know what it is or how to get it.
+
+I am thankful that 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 uses the word “still” three times. “For you are **_still_** carnal.” This shows us that it is possible for the carnal person to become spiritual. No one has to remain carnal. As long as a person takes time for matters of faith he has a good chance to realize this and change it. We will talk later about how you can become spiritual.
+
+Another aspect to consider is envy and strife or as the NIV says: “There is jealousy and quarreling among you.” This behavior proves to Paul that the carnal church members are not living through God’s Spirit, but rather acting carnally—just like other people. They can act just like natural people; albeit in religious packaging. Does this mean that tensions in the church stem mainly from carnal-minded church members? (See Jude v. 19) In Jesus’ day, didn’t the Pharisees and Sadducees compete with one other? This means that already back then there were tensions between the conservatives and the liberals/progressives. One group was very particular and the other interpreted things more loosely. But both were convinced that they had the correct Bible interpretation and attitude. But Jesus showed us that both groups were carnal, meaning: not filled with the Holy Spirit. The same thing is possible today—conservative Christians can also be carnal Christians.
+
+Unfortunately, people today often look through the glasses of “conservative or liberal/progressive”. The advantage is that the observer comes off well. However, with the biblical classification of “carnal or spiritual” we are challenged to take a spiritual inventory. We should do this for our own good. Consider what God clearly tells us in Galatians 6:7,8 NKJV: “... whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
+
+The carnal person wants to follow Jesus and please Him, but he hasn’t surrendered his whole life to Jesus or if he has, then he has backslidden somehow. (Gal 3:3; Rev 2:4,5) That means that he, maybe unconsciously, wants to live according to God’s will and his own wishes simultaneously. But that doesn’t work. Ultimately he is carrying his own life in his hands. As the saying goes, there are two souls dwelling in his breast. Can God send the Holy Spirit in such a case? James 4:3 NKJV gives this answer: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss.” I have come to the conclusion that it means asking with a carnal attitude. Wouldn’t an answer to such a request only boost the ego? Consequently, this church member is living through normal human powers and abilities. In Revelation 3:16 this is called “lukewarm” and in Matt 25 “foolish”.
+
+### Why Does Jesus Call The Carnal Church Members Lukewarm?
+
+Why is it that so many Christians are lacking an experience with the Holy Spirit? In order to answer this question, we will first have to take a look at the Laodicea phenomenon. Why did Jesus call the believers in the Laodicea church lukewarm? He gave us a clear indicator: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” (Rev 3:20) Jesus wasn’t the center of the lives of the believers, but rather outside. He was standing outside in front of the door. Why didn’t He go in? Because He hadn’t been invited. He doesn’t force His way in, because He respects our free will decision.
+
+Why do believers leave Jesus outside in front of the door? There are different causes and reasons for this. Some only move on a purely intellectual and cognitive plane in their spiritual lives, like the scribe Nicodemus, and don’t understand what the Christian life is all about. (Compare with John 3:1-10). For others the “price” of discipleship is too high, they have to give up too much, like the “rich young ruler”. (Compare with Matt 19:16-24) To follow Jesus requires self-denial and the willingness to change one’s life (compare with Matt 16:24,25) and completely surrender oneself to God (Rom 12:1). Leaving Jesus outside can be caused by pure negligence— insufficient time in personal fellowship with Jesus.
+
+I repeat: the reason for the lukewarmness in Revelation 3:20 is: “Behold, I stand at the door.” Jesus is not in the center of their lives, but rather outside or on the sidelines. So the lukewarmness relates to the personal relationship with Christ. In other areas the person concerned definitely doesn’t have to be lukewarm.
+
+An example: A man can invest a lot in his vocation and at the same time neglect his wife. He is committed to his job, but lukewarm in his marriage relationship. A person can even be a committed church member, a diligent church leader or pastor or president and still be lukewarm in his relationship with Christ. The person is so dedicated to accomplishing a lot of tasks, that he neglects his personal relationship with Christ. **This is the lukewarmness that Jesus wants removed**. It is tragic that a person can be so busy with God’s work (in the church and mission work) that He neglects the Lord of the work.
+
+### The Parable Of The Ten Virgins
+
+What does Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins show us in respect to the spiritual and carnal church members?
+
+- All 10 were virgins
+- All had pure biblical beliefs
+- All had lamps
+- All had the Bible
+- All of them went to meet the bridegroom
+- All of them looked forward to the 2nd coming
+- All of them went to sleep
+- All heard the call and woke up
+- All prepared their lamps
+- All the lamps were burning
+- Half of them noticed that their lamps were going out
+
+All of them prepared their lamps and a**ll of the lamps were burning; but burning lamps need oil. Energy was used.** After a short time five of them noticed that their lamps were going out. The lamps of the foolish virgins that only burned for a short time show us that they did have something from the Holy Spirit. But it wasn’t enough. There was too little oil. **That was the only difference.**
+
+When the five came asking to be let in, Jesus answered: “**_I do not know you._**” They were too late in attending to the oil, the Holy Spirit. The door remained closed.
+
+Jesus’ statement shows us that our personal relationship with Him has something to do with the Holy Spirit. Whoever doesn’t let himself be led by the Holy Spirit won’t be acknowledged by Jesus. In Romans 8:8,9 it says: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ... if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
+
+Actually, we **only** have a real personal relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. 1 John 3:24 says: “And **_by this we know_** that He [Jesus] abides in us, **_by the Spirit whom He has given us_**.” This means that the assurance I have that I am filled with the Holy Spirit is at the same time the assurance that I am in Jesus and He is in me.
+
+This is exactly the experience a sister had, who took part in the 40 Days prayer time. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in her life she experienced her relationship with God in a completely different way and others noticed the change in her life. A sister from southern Germany wrote the following after she had studied this booklet: “Together the book ‘40 Days— Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming’ by Dennis Smith and this booklet have become a great and long-awaited blessing in my life. Just like many other church members and a sister from our church have experienced, something was always missing in our faith experience and now we have the privilege of experiencing how Jesus has entered our lives and has begun to change us. He is still working on us and step by step is drawing us closer to Him.” <sup>26</sup>
+
+A brother wrote the following: The booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_ deeply touched me. The chapter on the ten virgins and especially on Romans 8:9b: ‘Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His’ greatly shocked me. Suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I had the Holy Spirit and if He was working in me, because I am painfully missing the corresponding “fruits” in my life. This Sabbath afternoon I finished reading the booklet and an infinitely deep sadness overwhelmed me. Then I read the prayer on page 110 and a deep desire rose in me to receive the Holy Spirit, that my heart would be changed and that God the Father would change me according to His will. ...Thank you for the booklet and the words, which deeply moved me.” A. P.
+
+The greatest tragedy for the carnal Christian is that he won‘t receive eternal life if his condition doesn’t change. “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” (Rom 8:9b)
+
+Now to summarize: The main difference between the spiritual and the carnal church member has to do with the Holy Spirit. The spiritual Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit. The carnal Christian isn’t or isn’t sufficiently filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+Should you realize that you are a carnal Christian, then don’t be angry. God is offering you a remedy: the Holy Spirit.
+
+In some circles, certain gifts of the Holy Spirit are overemphasized; on the other hand, in other circles, the Holy Spirit is neglected. May our dear Lord help us to follow his Holy Word, and neither go to one extreme or the other.
+
+### Striking Words
+
+**Like a glass of cold water**
+
+The book _Steps to Personal Revival_ is like a glass of cold water. If a man will drink, it will refresh him. If you pour that cold water on a sleepy person, it works like an electric shock. Thanks writer, thanks bearer for sending our church this book. Personally I got many blessings from this book.
+
+T. B. from Pakistan, #80
+
+**The Holy Spirit on the “driver’s seat” avoids “accidents”**
+
+I have read the _Steps to Personal Revival_ book four times and will be reading it at least twice more. It was a blessing. I preached the last Sabbath (I am a layman). I now have a greater inner freedom to read in the Bible and the EGW-books. I have a different attitude now. I want the Holy Ghost to sit in the driver’s seat. If I had done that years ago, how many “accidents” would I have avoided!
+
+P. M. EE 210719 from USA, #117
+
+**Oil in the lamp**
+
+Anyone who follows the suggestions of the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_ certainly has the necessary oil in his lamp.
+
+H. K. from Germany, #73
+
+**Return to the basics**
+
+Thank you again for helping us to return to the basics! J. S. 231118 excerpt, #97
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle.” (1 Corinthians 14,8)
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>13</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 672
+
+<sup>14</sup> Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases vol. 7 p. 267
+
+<sup>15</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church vol. 8, p. 22
+
+<sup>16</sup> Mark A. Finley, Revive us again, p. 25
+
+<sup>17</sup> Henry T. Blackaby, Den Willen Gottes erkennen und tun (Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God), (Kassel, 2002), S. 31
+
+<sup>18</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, 95.1
+
+<sup>19</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 676
+
+<sup>20</sup> E.G.White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p.357.2—Das Leben Jesu, S. 349 [357]
+
+<sup>21</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ (1892), p. 43.2
+
+<sup>22</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ (1892) p. 43.4
+
+<sup>23</sup> Morris Venden, 95 Theses on Righteousness by Faith (Pacific Press, 1987), p. 63
+
+<sup>24</sup> Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 523
+
+<sup>25</sup> Email an H. Haubeil—received on February 15, 2012
+
+<sup>26</sup> Email from March 31, 2013
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-is-there-a-spiritual-cause/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-is-there-a-spiritual-cause/02-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What is probably the cause for the lack of the Holy Spirit?`
+
+**2. There are three groups of people that are defined by their relationship with God. What are the characteristics of each group?**
+
+`The natural person:`
+
+`The carnal person:`
+
+`The spiritual person:`
+
+`3. What factor determines which group I am in?`
+
+`4. Why is commitment to God so important?`
+
+`5. What was the difference between the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that God will show you what you are lacking.
+- [ ] for a spiritual heart.
+- [ ] for the capacity to realize and admit it if you are a carnal person at the moment and for God’s help to change.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-is-there-a-spiritual-cause/info.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-is-there-a-spiritual-cause/info.yml
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+title: Is there a spiritual cause behind our problems? Is the cause a lack of the Holy Spirit?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-what-is-the-main-problem-with-being-a-carnal-christian/02-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-what-is-the-main-problem-with-being-a-carnal-christian/02-chapter.md
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+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/02-what-is-the-center-of-our-problems/02-what-is-the-main-problem-with-being-a-carnal-christian/02-chapter.md
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+---
+title: What is the main problem with being a carnal Christian?
+---
+
+### Comparison: The Early Church And The Church In The End Times
+
+When we compare the early church with the present day church, we observe that the early church must have been predominantly made up of spiritual people. The book of Acts shows that this was the reason for their quick and positive development. They had no other aid. But they had the Holy Spirit. We have excellent aids in abundance. But we have a deficiency of the Holy Spirit.
+
+Remember what A. W. Tozer said: “If the Holy Spirit were taken away from our church today, 95 % of what we do would continue and no one would notice the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the early church, then 95 % (this means almost everything) of what they were doing would have stopped and everyone would have noticed the difference.” <sup>27</sup>
+
+### Have We Learned To Get Along Without The Holy Spirit? Does The Church Today Consist Primarily Of Carnal Christians?
+
+As a consequence, are we often powerless and to a large extent without victories in spiritual matters? Does a carnal attitude have something to do with the fact that we only have weak church growth in many places? Do many of the serious problems in many areas come from carnal attitudes? We will notice more and more that personally and collectively our central problem is the lack of the Holy Spirit. In the personal area we can quickly change this with God’s help.
+
+The following statement made for ministers naturally applies to everyone. Johannes Mager says: “Paul differentiates between spiritual and carnal Christians, between those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and those who have no room for the Holy Spirit in their lives: baptized with the Holy Spirit, but not filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+For a minister this means that: I can have sound theological training, be well-versed in the basic biblical languages and to be able to skillfully practice exegesis; I can have received the great biblical truths intellectually and understood them and be confident in the dogmatic theology of different centuries; I can have a sound grasp of homiletics and preach relevant and realistic sermons yet despite all my knowledge and talents, I can be devoid of the Holy Spirit. Books, education, good technical equipment, even charisma form a substitute for the missing Spirit-filled life.
+
+Preaching, praying publically, organizing church life, preparing evangelistic programs, giving pastoral counseling—these all can be learned and also put into practice without the Holy Spirit. Ellen G. White described this dangerous possibility as follows: “The reason why there is so little of the Spirit of God manifested is that ministers learn to do without it.” <sup>28</sup> As important as a basic education and systematic ongoing training is for a preacher, it is even more important for him that he let himself constantly be refilled by the Holy Spirit. <sup>29</sup>
+
+**To summarize: Being carnal means living by normal human powers and abilities without the Holy Spirit or an insufficient quantity of the Holy Spirit.**
+
+### What Is The Main Obstacle In Carnal Christianity?
+
+The great ethics of the Bible—loving your enemy, forgiving people for everything, overcoming sin, etc.—can only be achieved by the power of the Holy Spirit, not with human effort. This shows us that the main problem in carnal Christianity is that it is a life depending solely in human strength. We can’t do God’s will in our own strength. Let’s read a few Bible verses on this topic:
+
+Isaiah 64:6 NKJV: “And all our righteousness are like filthy rags.”
+
+Jeremiah 13:23 NKJV: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.”
+
+Ezekiel 36:26-27 NKJV: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you ...I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”
+
+Romans 8:7 NKJV: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, **nor indeed can be**.” And NIV: “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, **nor can it do so**.”
+
+Ellen White said very clearly and accurately: “He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. Man cannot be saved without obedience, **but his works should not be of himself; Christ should work in him to will and to do of his good pleasure.**” <sup>30</sup>
+
+I think these references show sufficiently that we are not capable of doing God’s will without the Holy Spirit. Our main concern is that we always need to make a decision for God’s will and that God gives us the strength to implement it. This understanding of the doctrine of righteousness by faith is extremely important and liberating. However, we can’t discuss it in detail here.
+
+### What Could Happen When Someone Tries To Do Something That Exceeds Their Strength?
+
+What happens when I realize: I can’t do it! I’ve failed again! These experiences are probably accompanied by disappointment.
+
+I think this problem is much more prominent in the younger generation than in the older one. Older people are used to a stronger sense of duty, obedience in the family, school and business. Thus they aren’t as easily annoyed by a disappointment as younger people are. But the problem is equally present in young and old. The younger person notices it more distinctly. Traveling the path of faith in their own strength is the foremost problem of every carnal Christian, whether he knows it or not.
+
+How do we try to solve this problem? One person may pray more intensely for God’s help and decide to try harder. Another person may think that we shouldn’t be so narrow-minded. Now he starts to take things more casually and feels freer. Still another completely abandons his faith and may even feel better. The only problem is that these apparent solutions are false solutions, because the consequences will come sooner or later. The correct way is to take God’s laws seriously, because they were given in love and are for our own good. However, we need God’s strength for this. The right way is to live in the power of the Holy Spirit with increasing joy, motivation, strength, fruitfulness and victory.
+
+### The Central Problem
+
+I think we have recognized that this mostly has to do with carnal Christianity. Isn’t it becoming clearer and clearer why Jesus doesn’t want any lukewarm followers? They don’t have life in abundance like God wants to give us and they are a bad example even though most of them don’t even know it. The problem is much more serious than we think. “Half-hearted Christians are worse than infidels; for their deceptive words and noncommittal position lead many astray.” <sup>31</sup>
+
+In the book Christ our Righteousness by Arthur G. Daniells we read the following: “But formalism is most deceptive and ruinous. It is the hidden, unsuspected rock upon which, through the centuries, the church has so often been well-nigh wrecked. Paul warns us that a ‘form of godliness’, without the power of God will be one of the perils of the last days, and admonishes us to turn away from the deceptive, bewitching thing.” <sup>32</sup>
+
+### Possible Factors Leading To Carnal Christianity
+
+The following factors or reasons are things which can lead to carnal Christianity:
+
+1. **Ignorance**—We haven’t devoted ourselves enough to the topic of “life with the Holy Spirit” or we haven’t found the key for putting it into practice.
+
+2. **Unbelief or Small of Faith**—The prerequisite for being filled with the Holy Spirit is the complete surrender of one’s life to Jesus Christ. Failing to surrender completely could happen because of ignorance, or maybe because we are afraid that the Lord will lead us differently than what we want. This means that we don’t trust God’s love and wisdom enough. 
+
+3. **Erroneous Notions**—A person can think they are filled with the Holy Spirit, even though they aren’t in reality or not sufficiently. This seems to be the most frequent problem.
+
+4. **Being too Busy**—People are so overburdened that they think they don‘t have any or enough time to maintain a relationship with Christ. Or they take the time, but don’t make any progress in connecting with God.
+
+5. **Hidden Sins**—Not confessing and repenting, possibly also missing restitution, can be like a short-circuit, meaning there is no connection with God’s power.
+
+6. **Fear of people**—A person can be so filled with the culture of the day that they don’t have the courage to live out the principles of faith.
+
+7. **Act mostly according to their feelings**-God’s word says: “The righteous live by faith”. Do I make decisions by trusting God or according to my feelings? This statement from Roger Morneau really impressed me: “The spirits would encourage people to listen to their feelings instead of the word of Christ and His prophets. In no surer way could the spirits obtain control of people’s lives without the individuals realizing what was happening.” <sup>33</sup>
+
+### Why Should I Ask For The Holy Spirit? Afterall, I Received Him At My Baptism. Is There A Problem Here?
+
+On the one hand, the Holy Spirit was given to us in order to stay in us. On the other hand, we should continually ask by faith for the Holy Spirit. How do we solve this apparent contradiction?
+
+**On the one hand:**
+
+Jesus said in John 14:17 NKJV: “For He [the Holy Spirit] dwells with you and will be in you.” Acts 2:38 NKJV says: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized ... and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
+
+**On the other hand:**
+
+When Jesus taught about prayer, He said in Luke 11:9-13 (NKJV): “... ask, and it will be given to you; ... how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Ephesians 5:18 says: “... be filled with the Spirit.” In both cases in the original Greek text, it is a continual request.
+
+**Solution:**
+
+Ellen G. White says: “Yet the operations of the Spirit are always in harmony with the written word. As in the natural, so in the spiritual world. The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power; yet it is not sustained by a direct miracle, but through the use of blessings placed within our reach. So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied. If the follower of Christ would grow up ‘unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’ (Eph 4:13), he must eat of the bread of life and drink of the water of salvation. He must watch and pray and work, in all things giving heed to the instructions of God in His word.” <sup>34</sup>
+
+We received life at our birth. In order to sustain this life we have to eat, drink, exercise, etc. It is exactly the same in our spiritual life. We have the Holy Spirit through our baptism by water and the Spirit (we were ‘born again’) so that this spiritual life remains in us our whole life. In order to sustain this spiritual life it is necessary to use the spiritual means that God provided: the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, prayer, our testimony, etc.
+
+Jesus said in John 15:4: “Abide in me, and I in you.” Ellen G. White says concerning this: “Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service.” <sup>35</sup>
+
+That is why we need to daily ask for the Holy Spirit by faith and surrender ourselves to the Lord every morning with everything we have and are.
+
+### Where Do I Stand?
+
+Now the most important thing is to discern which group I am in. Where do I stand?
+
+When my dear mother was 20 she answered a man’s question by saying that she wasn’t interested in faith. He then replied: And if you died in the night? This comment hit her hard. But it had a very positive effect. It led her to make a decision for Jesus and His church. Maybe this question will help you too:
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Suppose ... you died today ...! (heart attack? accident?) Do you have the assurance of eternal life with Jesus Christ? Don’t remain uncertain.
+
+OUR HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON THIS
+
+I am very alarmed as I have begun to understand the great magnitude of this problem. I have thought and prayed about whether I should really add this paragraph or not. I decided to take the chance since it is a matter of happiness in life now and eternal life and it also especially has an influence on our marriages and families as well as our churches and our occupations. I don’t know who it applies to. But I want to be of help to the persons concerned, since I have been helped as well. It is crucial that everyone who is carnal realizes this, or he will not be able to ask for God’s help to change. God in His love wants to richly bless us through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. As a result great loss can be avoided and immeasurable blessing can be experienced. And the wonderful thing is that we can quickly remedy the situation with God’s help. (In more detail in chapters 3 and 5)
+
+The problem of carnal Christianity is described in the Bible in different ways. Individual groups and the people in the groups can have very different focal points, but the central problem is the same. The different descriptions are:
+
+- **“in the flesh or carnal”**—Rom 8:1-17; 1 Cor 3:1-4, Gal 5:16-21 and other texts
+
+- **“foolish”**—the parable of the ten virgins—Matt. 25:1-13
+
+“The state of the Church represented by the foolish virgins, is also spoken of as the Laodicean state.” <sup>36</sup>
+
+- **“lukewarm”**—the letter to Laodicea—Rev 3:14-21
+
+“I wish you were cold or hot.” (Rev 3:15) Isn’t it amazing? Jesus prefers cold to lukewarm. What is His reason for this? “Halfhearted Christians are worse than infidels; for their deceptive words and noncommittal position lead many astray. The infidel shows his colors. The lukewarm Christian deceives both parties. He is neither a good worldling nor a good Christian. Satan uses him to do a work that no one else can do.” <sup>37</sup>
+
+- **not “born again”** or hasn’t remained in this condition—John 3:1-21 “The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ.” <sup>38</sup>
+
+- **a form of godliness**—“Having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Tim 3:5) Arthur G. Daniells says the following about this: “... But formalism is something extremely deceptive and destructive. It is the hidden, unexpected cliff, which the church has threatened to shatter on many times throughout the centuries. Paul warned us that this ‘form of Godliness’ (2 Tim 3:5) without God’s power [without being filled by the Holy Spirit] would be one of the dangers of the last days and admonishes us not to be taken in by this comfortable, self-deceiving attitude.” <sup>39</sup>
+
+And there are also some shocking statements in Ellen White’s writings:
+
+**Very, very few**
+
+“In my dream a sentinel stood at the door of an important building, and asked every one who came for entrance, ‘Have ye received the Holy Spirit?’ A measuring-line was in his hand, and only very, very few were admitted into the building.” <sup>40</sup>
+
+**Not one in twenty are ready**
+
+“It is a solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without hope in the world as the common sinner.“ <sup>41</sup>
+
+**Why are we so sleepy?**
+
+“Why are the soldiers of Christ so sleepy and indifferent? Because they have so little real connection with Christ; because they are so destitute of His Spirit.” <sup>42</sup>
+
+**A great danger**
+
+“I will not here dwell upon the shortness and uncertainty of life; but there is a terrible danger—a danger not sufficiently understood—in delaying to yield to the pleading voice of God’s Holy Spirit, in choosing to live in sin; for such this delay really is.” <sup>43</sup> What is at the core of sin? “Because they do not believe in Me.” (John 16:9) The sign that we really believe and trust Jesus is that we completely surrender ourselves to Him. It has to do with our complete surrender; our willingness to follow Him in everything.
+
+I want to say it again: I took the chance of adding this very serious paragraph because it has to do with our personal happiness now and in eternity. It is also a hugely important factor in how we influence others, especially in our marriages, families, communities and churches.
+
+### Questions And More Questions
+
+The crucial question is: Are you filled with the Holy Spirit or not? When is a person filled with the Holy Spirit? What are the necessary prerequisites? What are the positive results of a life with the Holy Spirit? What happens when you erroneously think you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
+
+### Be Thankful For The Signals
+
+Thank the Lord that we are devoting ourselves more to the topic of revival. I think that our great and marvelous God has important reasons for presently giving us impulses by the Holy Spirit for a revival. Could these be the reasons?
+
+- He wants to relieve our deficiency and lead us out of our Laodicea-like state.
+- He wants to prepare us for the soon second coming of Jesus and the special time just before He comes.
+- He wants to bring about the great closing revival (Rev 18:1,2) in the world through those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ“ (Rev 12:17 NKJV) and have “the faith of Jesus“ (Rev 12:17 NKJV).
+
+Let us also thank God that every carnal Christian can quickly become a spiritual Christian. And that everyone who lives in the Holy Spirit can grow to the fullness of Christ. This is now our next job, but now, here is another experience to end this chapter:
+
+### New Motivation And Inner Joy
+
+“A sister in the church gave me the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_. I was overwhelmed by the contents of the booklet. I had long been searching for something like this and had finally found it. I then started to organize my spiritual life and only then did I realize that I had to do something: I surrendered myself completely to Jesus. From then on the Lord woke me up very early and gave me time for my personal devotions. Every day I studied a chapter in the 40 Days book. I noticed clearly that my relationship with Jesus grew greater. It became deeper and more intimate. The Holy Spirit was working on me. After the 40 Days book, I studied book two of the 40 Days. Since then I have studied each of these books four times. I can’t do anything but daily ask for fellowship with God. The results are awesome, because my new motivation and inner joy can’t remain unnoticed. During this time I have had the privilege of having a lot of experiences with God. I also looked for opportunities to share my experience. A close relationship with Jesus makes many things become unimportant and needless cares are solved. I hope and pray that many people will have this experience that I have been privileged to have.” H. S.
+
+### Attractive Words
+
+**The Holy Spirit: The highest of all gifts**
+
+He [Jesus] rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 671.2
+
+**Even doubters have no arguments**
+
+I received Steps to personal Revival in Swedish a few weeks ago and I love it! I’m reading it for the third time. I know, without a doubt, that this book was really led by the Holy Spirit. Since the 1960s, such a book has been missing in Sweden. At that time, a Finnish pastor called Arazola, wrote something similar, but it wasn’t as clear. This book makes it so clear and convincing that even one ‘Doubter’ has no arguments. T.J. EE100319 from Sweden, #93
+
+**My life has changed completely**
+
+My wife and I have studied your e-book _Steps to Personal Revival_. What a Divine Revelation and Inspiration! We have been guided, blessed and inspired. My life has completely changed. Thank you. We want our families and our community here in South Africa to receive printed copies. Most of them have no access to the Internet and e-books. How should we go about that? EE200619 LB from South Africa, #87
+
+**Enthusiasm about Change**
+
+I’m excited about the changes that have and are occuring in my life through the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_. I am very grateful for the much greater work that the Holy Spirit is having in my life. Many ways of witnessing have been opened by the Holy Spirit. Old habits have far less appeal.—I have used the basic messages form Dwight’s sermons on the Holy Spirit for my presentations and am seeing lives changed by the work of the Holy Spirit as people recommit their lives to Jesus. [3 Sermons from Dwight Nelson on the Fulfillment with the Holy Spirit—www.steps-to-personal-revival.info] A changed brother in the Lord. C.H. EE300119 from USA, #85
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>27</sup> Dr. S. Joseph Kidder, Anleitung zum geistlichen Leben (Andrews University), PPP Folie 2
+
+<sup>28</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, (1868), p. 383.1
+
+<sup>29</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Following the Steps of the Holy Spirit), (Lüneberg, 1999), S. 102-103. Johannes Mager was a pastor, evangelist and a professor of systematic theology for many years. He worked last as secretary of the ministerial department of the Euro-African Division (now: Inter-European Division) in Bern, Switzerland.
+
+<sup>30</sup> Ellen G. White, Review and Herald,July 1, 1890
+
+<sup>31</sup> EGW Letter 44, 1903, quoted in Adv. Bible Commentary, vol.7, p. 963 on Rev. 3: 15,16
+
+<sup>32</sup> Arthur G. Daniells, Christ our Righteousness, p. 30, Christus unsere Gerechtigkeit (Hamburg 1962), S.20
+
+<sup>33</sup> Roger Morneau, A Trip into the Supernatural, Review and Herald 1982, p. 43
+
+<sup>34</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (1911), p. 284.2
+
+<sup>35</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 676.2
+
+<sup>36</sup> Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Aug. 19, 1890
+
+<sup>37</sup> Ellen G. White, Letter 44, 1903, quoted in the Seventh Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 963 on Rev 3:15,16
+
+<sup>38</sup> Ellen G. White, MS 148, 1897, quoted in the Seventh Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1075, Many buried alive
+
+<sup>39</sup> A. G. Daniells, Christ our Righteousness, p. 20
+
+<sup>40</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 1 (1958), p. 109.2
+
+<sup>41</sup> Ellen G. White, Christian Service (1925), p. 41.1
+
+<sup>42</sup> Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (1911), p. 507.3
+
+<sup>43</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 1 (1958), p. 109.2
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What is the central problem with carnal Christianity?`
+
+`2. What can happen when we try to do something that is beyond our strength?`
+
+`3. What factors can lead to carnal Christianity?`
+
+`4. Why pray for the Holy Spirit, when I already received Him at my baptism?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that God fills every one of us with His Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] for God’s rich blessing on our walk with Him.
+- [ ] for constant guidance from the Holy Spirit.
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+title: What is the main problem with being a carnal Christian?
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+title: "Chapter 2: What Is The Center Of Our Problems?"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/03-our-problems-are-solvable/03-what-is-gods-solution-for-our-problems/03-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/03-our-problems-are-solvable/03-what-is-gods-solution-for-our-problems/03-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+---
+title: What is God’s solution to our problems? How can we grow to be happy and strong Christians?
+---
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Jesus said: “Remain joined to me, and I will remain joined to you.” (John 15:4 NIRV) “Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service.” <sup>44</sup>
+
+This two-part divine solution for our central problem is at the same time the way to a happy Christian life. Why? Jesus commented on these words: “These things I have spoken to you, that My Joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11 NKJV) Through these two steps (continually receiving the Holy Spirit and complete surrender to His service) Christ lives in us and this is the way to perfect happiness. Colossians 1:27 speaks about the riches of the glory: Christ in you. Isn’t it remarkable that Jesus embedded this parable of the vine in between the promise for the Holy Spirit in John 14 and the work of the Holy Spirit in John 16?
+
+**The crucial point is that we (as a rule) daily surrender ourselves to God including everything we are and have and that we also daily ask and receive by faith the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.**
+
+### Why Is It Necessary To Surrender Ourselves To Jesus Daily?
+
+Jesus said in Luke 9:23: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross **daily**, and follow Me.”
+
+Jesus said that discipleship is a daily matter. To deny oneself means giving Jesus the control over my life. Carrying a cross doesn’t mean that we will have difficulties every day. Here it means: to daily deny our egos and to submit gladly and willingly to Jesus just as Paul said about himself: “I die daily.” When someone carried a cross in Jesus’ day, then he had been sentenced to death and was going to the place of execution. So it also has to do with accepting difficulties, which arise from following Jesus.
+
+We received our physical life at birth. In order to maintain our life, strength and health we normally eat every day. We received our spiritual life when we were born again. In order to keep our spiritual life strong and healthy it is also necessary to take care of the inner person daily. If this doesn’t take place in our physical life as well as in our spiritual life, then we will become weak, sick or even die. We can neither eat meals ahead as reserve meals nor can we stockpile the Holy Spirit.
+
+In the book The Acts of the Apostles there is valuable advice on this: “As in the natural, so in the spiritual world. The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power; yet it is not sustained by a direct miracle, but through the use of blessings placed within our reach. So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied.” <sup>45</sup>
+
+This comment in the book The Desire of Ages really impressed me: “We are to follow Christ day by day. God does not bestow help for tomorrow.” <sup>46</sup> Ellen White said: “To follow Jesus requires wholehearted conversion at
+
+the start, and a repetition of this conversion every day.“ <sup>47</sup> “However complete may have been our consecration at conversion, it will avail us nothing unless it be renewed daily ...” <sup>48</sup> “Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all may plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus, day by day, you should be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.” <sup>49</sup>
+
+Morris Venden said: “If you haven’t discovered the necessity of daily conversion, it can be a major breakthrough in your life. Thoughts From The Mount of Blessing, page 101, makes this promise: ‘If you will seek the Lord and be converted every day...all your murmurings will be stilled, all your difficulties will be moved, all the perplexing problems that now confront you will be solved.’” <sup>50</sup>
+
+Remaining with Jesus through a daily renewal of our surrender is just as important as it was when we first came to Him.
+
+Morris Venden says further: “The abiding daily relationship with God leads to abiding surrender, moment-by-moment dependence on Him.” <sup>51</sup>
+
+We may be certain that: when we consciously surrender ourselves to Jesus every morning, then we are doing what He wishes us to do, because He said: “Come to me ...” (Matt 11:28 NKJV) and: “... the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37 NKJV)
+
+“The Lord is willing to do great things for us. We shall not gain the victory through numbers, but through the full surrender of the soul to Jesus. We are to go forward in His strength, trusting in the mighty God of Israel ...” <sup>52</sup>
+
+The great influence that God can exert through us when we completely surrender ourselves to Him is described by John Wesley as follows: “God can do more with one man, who has committed himself 100 % to God, than He can with a whole army of men, who have only committed themselves 99 % to God.” <sup>53</sup>
+
+Ellen White wrote: “Only those who will become co-workers with Christ, only those who will say, Lord, all I have and all I am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons and daughters of God.” <sup>54</sup> “All who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical and mental power... The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of saving souls ... And in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence.” <sup>55</sup>
+
+### Why Should A Person Daily Ask For A New Baptism Of The Holy Spirit?
+
+The request to be filled with the Holy Spirit is a request to Jesus to, ‘Stay by me.’ Because He lives in me through the Holy Spirit. But why daily?
+
+Ellen G. White said in The Acts of the Apostles: “To the consecrated worker there is wonderful consolation in the knowledge that even Christ during His life on earth sought His Father **daily for fresh supplies of needed grace** ... His own example is an assurance that earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith—faith that leads to entire dependence upon God, and unreserved consecration to His work—will avail to bring men the Holy Spirit’s aid in the battle against sin.” <sup>56</sup>
+
+If this was a daily necessity for Jesus, then how much more important it is for us. In 2 Cor 4:16 NKJV there is an important statement: “... yet the inward man is being **renewed day by day**.”
+
+Our inward man needs daily care. In what way does this daily renewal take place? According to Eph 3:16,17,19 NKJV it happens through the Holy Spirit: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, **to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man**, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love ... that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
+
+Therefore:
+
+- As a rule it is necessary to pray daily for a renewal of the Holy Spirit.
+- As a result Christ lives in us.
+- He gives us power according to the riches of His glory for our inner man. The power of God is a supernatural power, but we can not feel it. The Creator can work with extremely minimal forces (e.g. the electrical currents in our bodies. We can not feel it, but if they are not there, we are dead)
+- Thus God’s love is put into our hearts.
+- And it is the way to a life “with all the fullness of God”. (see John 10:10; Col. 2:10)
+
+Another important text is found in Ephesians 5:18 NKJV: “... be filled with the Spirit.“ Take note that this is more than just advice. It is a divine command. Our God expects us to want to live with the Holy Spirit. The Greek experts say that this text says more precisely—and I am quoting Johannes Mager: “Let yourselves be consistently and continually filled anew with the Spirit.”57
+
+Our lesson study guide says: “Baptism with the Holy Spirit means to be completely under the influence of the Holy Spirit to be completely ‘ filled’ by Him. This isn’t a one-time experience, but rather something that has to be continually repeated, as Paul illustrates in Ephesians 5:18 with the tense of the Greek verb ‘filled’.” <sup>58</sup>
+
+The apostle Paul wrote this in Ephesians chapter 5, even though he wrote the following in chapter 1:13: “... in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” The Ephesians had evidently already received the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, it was necessary for them to be: “strengthened with might through His Spirit” and to “be filled with the Spirit” and “let yourselves be consistently and continually filled with the Spirit anew”. In Ephesians chapter 4 verse 30 he warns us not to grieve or to insult the Holy Spirit.
+
+Ellen White said: “For the **daily** baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God.” <sup>59</sup>
+
+“In order that we may have the righteousness of Christ, we need daily to be transformed by the influence of the Spirit, to be a partaker of the divine nature. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to elevate the taste, to sanctify the heart, to ennoble the whole man.” <sup>60</sup>
+
+The Lord said in another place through her: “Those who have been impressed by the Holy Scriptures as the voice of God, and desire to follow its teachings, are to be **daily** learning, **daily** receiving **spiritual fervor and power**, which have been provided for every true believer in the gift of the Holy Spirit.” <sup>61</sup>
+
+In addition she said: “We are to follow Christ day by day. God does not bestow help for tomorrow.” <sup>62</sup>
+
+And in another place: “A connection with the divine agency every moment is essential to our progress. We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer and faith we are **continually to seek more of the Spirit**.” <sup>63</sup>
+
+I also found this amazing quote: “**You need a daily baptism of the love** that in the days of the apostles made them all of one accord.” <sup>64</sup>
+
+Romans 5:5 shows us that God’s love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. We find the same thing in Ephesians 3:17. The daily baptism with the Holy Spirit (being filled with the Holy Spirit) causes at the same time a daily baptism with love (being filled with God’s agape love). In addition, it says in Galatians 5:16 and Romans 8:2, that as a result, the power of sin is broken. (More on page 109, in the section “Can a person remain spiritual?”)
+
+The Importance Of Personal Worship
+
+What importance does personal worship have if it is so important that I daily surrender to Jesus and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
+
+Daily worship and the observance of the Sabbath are the foundation for a spiritual life.
+
+We have already read Bible verses and diverse quotes that show us that the inner person is renewed day by day. **This casts a clear light on the great importance of our daily personal worship.**
+
+The whole foundation for the worship service in the tabernacle was the morning and evening burnt offerings. On Sabbath there was an additional Sabbath burnt offering (Num 28:4,10). What importance did the burnt offering have?
+
+“The burnt offering represented the complete surrender of the sinner to the Lord. Here the person kept nothing for themselves, but rather everything belonged to God.“ <sup>65</sup>
+
+“The hours appointed for the morning and the evening sacrifice were regarded as sacred, and they came to be observed as the set time for worship throughout the Jewish nation...In this custom Christians have an example for morning and evening prayer. While God condemns a mere round of ceremonies, without the spirit of worship, He looks with great pleasure upon those who love Him, bowing morning and evening to seek pardon for sins committed and to present their requests for needed blessings.“<sup>66</sup>
+
+Do you notice that daily worship is connected with the Sabbath as a basis for our spiritual lives? In addition, does it make it clear that it has to do with a daily surrender to Jesus Christ, who is invited through the Holy Spirit to live in us?
+
+Have you made the most important spiritual principle your own: To give God priority over everything every day? Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt 6:33 NKJV)
+
+The kingdom of God is when you have Christ in your heart now. Jesus personifies the kingdom of God (Mark 10:15; Luke 17:20-21). This is why we need to daily surrender and to daily ask for the Holy Spirit during our worship time. The decisive moment will be when we stand before God: Did we have the saving personal relationship with Christ and did we stay in Him? (see John 15:1-17) Don’t you long for more for greater fulfillment in your faith?
+
+Whoever spends little or no quiet time with God or only has an inadequate worship time will probably only be strengthened by their worship once or twice a week. That is similar to someone only eating once or twice a week. To make a comparison: Wouldn’t it be absurd to only want to nourish yourself once a week? Doesn’t this mean that a Christian without worship is carnal?
+
+This also means that if he stays in this condition then he isn’t saved. When we are carnal Christians worship can be just an obligation. When we are spiritual then worship will become more and more a necessity and joy.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “In order that we may have the righteousness o„f Christ, we need daily to be transformed by the influence of the Spirit, to be a partaker of the divine nature.
+
+Years ago I read a booklet by Jim Vaus: I was a Gangster. He was a criminal who became converted. He wholeheartedly confessed his sins for example perjury, theft, etc. He experienced tremendous divine intervention. This impressed me. I said to myself: I am doing fine in almost every way, but I don’t have experiences like that. Then I prayed to the Lord: “Father in heaven, I also want to confess all my known sins and all the sins that you will yet show me. In addition, I will get up an hour earlier to pray and read the Bible. Then I want to see if you will also intervene in my life.”
+
+Praise God! He intervened in my life. Since then, especially my morning worship in connection with the Sabbath has become the basis for my life with God.
+
+**Through daily surrender and through being daily filled with the Holy Spirit our lives will be beneficially changed. As a result, our new life “in Christ” will be preserved and will bear fruit. This happens during our personal worship time.**
+
+### What Do Pastors Say? (Part 1)
+
+**We do not do one thing**
+
+We are looking for good solutions of all kinds, but we do not do one thing: Ask for the authority of the Holy Spirit. The church is aware of its fruitlessness, its weak impression on people. She also feels that her real authority is missing. In seeking this authority, she is ready to try and do everything, but one thing she does not do is seek the authority of the Holy Spirit.
+
+M.L.-J., Telos 385
+
+**Return to first love**
+
+Through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, I was led to a closer walk with Jesus, experienced a return to that ‘first love’ of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Personal changes began happening within me that could only stem from the indwelling of the Spirit of God. In my ministry, I began seeing a power as I had never seen before. D. S.
+
+**A gift from heaven**
+
+Your script on Steps to Personal Awakening is truly a gift from heaven, first to you and then to all readers. Although some very practical and deep spiritual books have come to the church lately, this booklet is extraordinary. In such a compact yet quite detailed way, the way to becoming filled with the Holy Spirit is presented. Those who read it cannot help but make their spiritual inventory and make a decision. H. H. 010512
+
+**I waisted time taking the important as obvious**
+
+I am reading _Steps to Personal Revival_ in Spanish for the third time. I just got to the point of how much time I had waisted as a church member and as an Adventist pastor taking the important as obvious in my relation with Jesus. The book came to me at a very special time in my life and ministry. All I can say is that I am enjoying the blessing through the Holy Spirit in my life in such a different approach and experience. The thesis of the book became a reality in my Life. E. L., EE 300319 from USA #92
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “What you intend, you will not succeed by the power of an army and not by human power: No, my spirit will effect it! I promise, the LORD Almighty God.” (Zechariah 4,6)
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>44</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 676.2
+
+<sup>45</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, (1911), p. 284.2
+
+<sup>46</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 313.4
+
+<sup>47</sup> Editor Francis D. Nichol, Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1 (Review and Herald, 1976), p. 1113
+
+<sup>48</sup> Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Jan. 6, 1885
+
+<sup>49</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ (1892), p. 70.1
+
+<sup>50</sup> Morris Venden, 95 Theses on Righteousness by Faith (Pacific Press, 1987), p. 96
+
+<sup>51</sup> Morris Venden, 95 Theses on Righteousness by Faith (Pacific Press, 1987), p. 233
+
+<sup>52</sup> Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 279
+
+<sup>53</sup> Dr. S. Joseph Kidder, Anleitung zum geistlichen Leben (Andrews University), PPP slide 14
+
+<sup>54</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 523.1
+
+<sup>55</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 827.3
+
+<sup>56</sup> Ellen G. White, Acts of the Apostles (1911), p. 56.1
+
+<sup>57</sup> Editor Werner E. Lange, Unser größtes Bedürfnis (Lüneburg, 2011), S. 42
+
+<sup>58</sup> Sabbath School Study Guide July 17, 2014
+
+<sup>59</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (1911), p. 50.2
+
+<sup>60</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages 1 (1958), p. 374.1
+
+<sup>61</sup> Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times, March 8, 1910, par. 1
+
+<sup>62</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 313.4
+
+<sup>63</sup> Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, March 2, 1897, par. 5
+
+<sup>64</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church (1904), vol. 8, p. 191
+
+<sup>65</sup> Fritz Rienecker, Lexikon zur Bibel (Wuppertal, 1964), S. 1017
+
+<sup>66</sup> Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (1890), p. 353.3
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+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What steps are important in order to abide in Jesus?`
+
+`2. Why is daily surrender to Jesus necessary?`
+
+`3. Why should you daily pray to be filled again by the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`4. Why is daily worship / quiet time with God so important?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+Pray with your prayer partner ...
+
+- [ ] that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] that the Lord will increase your delight in your daily worship. 3. that Jesus’ character will grow in you.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/03-our-problems-are-solvable/03-what-is-gods-solution-for-our-problems/info.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/03-our-problems-are-solvable/03-what-is-gods-solution-for-our-problems/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: What is God’s solution to our problems? How can we grow to be happy and strong Christians?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/03-our-problems-are-solvable/03-what-is-the-relationship-between-baptism-and-the-holy-spirit/03-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/03-our-problems-are-solvable/03-what-is-the-relationship-between-baptism-and-the-holy-spirit/03-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+---
+title: What is the relationship between baptism and the Holy Spirit?
+---
+
+### Worship In Spirit And In Truth
+
+The main objective is worshipping God. In God’s last message to humanity it has to do with worshipping the creator in contrast to worshipping the beast (Rev 14:6-12). The outward sign of worship is the Sabbath (worshipping the creator). The inner attitude of worship is shown in John 4:23-24: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the **true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth**; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
+
+**To worship in spirit** certainly means to worship consciously, but also to be filled with the Holy Spirit. **To worship in truth** means living in complete surrender to Jesus, who is the truth in person. Jesus said: “I am the truth.” (John 14:6) And it means through the indwelling of Jesus to live according to God’s word and directives, because He said: “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) and Psalm 119:142 says: “Your law is truth.” If we don’t have real worship now, then aren’t we in danger of failing at a critical moment? This will be a big problem for all the carnal Christians.
+
+I think we all want to make progress with God’s help and to grow in knowledge. It may be that the following false belief was a hindrance for some in moving forwards.
+
+### Baptism And The Holy Spirit
+
+Some people think they are filled with the Holy Spirit because they are baptized and thus everything is ok and they don’t need to do anything more. D. L. Moody commented on this: “Many think that because they were filled once that they are filled forever. Oh my friend, we are porous vessels; it is necessary for us to constantly remain under the fountain in order to be full.” <sup>67</sup>
+
+Joseph H. Waggoner said: “**In all cases, where baptism is seen as proof for the gift of the Holy Spirit, the repentant sinner is lulled into carnal security.** He solely trusts on his baptism as a sign of God’s grace. Baptism and **not the Spirit in his heart** will be his sign or ‘testimony’ ...” <sup>68</sup>
+
+Baptism is definitely a significant decision; this corresponds to God’s will. It has and will retain great significance. But we shouldn’t look back to an event in the past as proof that we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Instead, we should know now and experience now that we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+Some people received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized for example Cornelius and his household or Saul. Others received the Holy Spirit after they were baptized for example the Samaritans or the 12 men in Ephesus. But it is all the same when a person received the Holy Spirit before, at or after baptism. What matters is that we received the Holy Spirit at some time and that we have Him in our hearts now. It isn’t crucial what happened in the past, but rather how things are now today!
+
+Ekkehardt Müller said: “When a person surrenders themselves completely to God in response to His initiative, then rebirth and baptism with the Holy Spirit happen at the same time. Furthermore, it should be kept in mind that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a person follows rebirth, but isn’t a process that automatically takes place. The relationship has to be renewed daily.” <sup>69</sup>
+
+I want to remind you again: We received our physical lives at birth. Our life is maintained by daily food, drink, exercise, sleep, etc. otherwise we wouldn’t live very long. The same laws apply to our spiritual lives. We received new life through the Holy Spirit, namely when we completely surrendered ourselves to Christ. Our spiritual life is maintained through the Holy Spirit, prayer, the word of God, etc. Ellen G. White said: “The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power; yet it is not sustained by a direct miracle, but through the use of blessings placed within our reach. So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied.” <sup>70</sup>
+
+Neither the physical nor the spiritual life remains automatically in us. It is necessary to use the means that God has provided for us.
+
+This means: When we are born again the Holy Spirit is given to us to stay. But in order for Him to stay it depends upon the daily use of the means, which the Lord has provided us with. What result can we expect if we don’t use the “means”?
+
+The Holy Spirit is the most important of all these “means”. In addition, prayer is very important, being connected to God through His word, taking part in the worship services and other things.
+
+I think we can agree that as a rule it is also necessary to daily care for the inner person. If we don’t do it, then we will experience regrettable consequences. We can neither eat ahead nor can we stock up on the Holy Spirit. “God does not bestow help for tomorrow.” <sup>71</sup> I think it is reasonably clear that daily surrender to Jesus is necessary and that we should daily invite the Holy Spirit into our lives.
+
+**Both of these matters serve the same purpose they are two sides of the same coin**; having an intimate relationship with Christ. I give myself to Him through surrender and by asking for the Holy Spirit I am inviting Him into my heart. Among other Bible verses 1 John 3:24 (see also John 14:17, 23) shows us that Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit: “And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”
+
+### The Effects Of The Holy Spirit
+
+When the Holy Spirit is in me He accomplishes in me what Christ achieved. Romans 8:2 says: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:4: “So that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” We can explain the “law of the Spirit” as the manner in which the Holy Spirit works in a heart completely surrendered to God. It is a matter of the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can bring to life in me what Christ achieved. Ellen G. White explains it well: “**The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail** ...It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature ... The power of God awaits their demand and reception.” <sup>72</sup>
+
+Thomas A. Davis describes this process as follows: “This means that even the effectiveness of Christ’s work for people is dependent on the Holy Spirit. Without Him everything Jesus did on this earth—in Gethsemane, on the cross, the resurrection and His priestly ministry in heaven—would be unsuccessful. The outcome of Christ’s work wouldn’t be much more useful than that of some big world religion or ethical leader. But although Christ was much more than these, He couldn’t save humanity alone through His example and teachings. To change people it was necessary to work in them. This work is done by the Holy Spirit, who was sent to do this in people’s hearts, which Jesus had made possible.” <sup>73</sup>
+
+Isn’t this alone reason enough to see to it that you are filled with the Holy Spirit? “When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility and peace take the place of anger, envy and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of heaven.” <sup>74</sup>
+
+There are many other valuable results from a life with the Holy Spirit but there are also great deficiencies and losses without Him. The difference between a life with and without the Holy Spirit will be dealt with in more detail in chapter 4.
+
+### Am I Filled With The Holy Spirit?
+
+Please ask yourself the following questions about being filled with the Holy Spirit: <sup>75</sup>
+
+- Are there any noticeable effects of the Holy Spirit in my life? For example, has He made Jesus real and great to you? (John 15:16)
+- Am I starting to hear and understand the inner voice of the Holy Spirit? Can He lead me in the big and little decisions in my life? (Rom 8:14)
+- Has a new kind of love for my fellow man arisen in me? Does the Holy Spirit give me tender compassion and profound concern for people, who I wouldn’t normally choose as my friends? (Gal 5:22; James 2:8,9)
+- Do I experience again and again how the Holy Spirit helps me to deal with my fellow men? Does He give me the right words to reach a person’s heart, who has worries and cares?
+- Does the Holy Spirit give me strength to share about Jesus and lead others to Him?
+- Do I experience how He helps me in my prayer life and helps me to express the deepest feelings of my heart to God?
+
+When we think about these questions, we see what a great need we have to grow in the Holy Spirit, to get to know Him better and to love Him more.
+
+A brother wrote: My father and I have become reconciled. After studying _Steps to Personal Revival_ and the 40 Days books one and two, I had the wonderful experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It was especially exciting for me to experience how the Holy Spirit works and wants to work in every area of my life.
+
+### Reconciliation Between Father And Son
+
+My relationship with my father was always somewhat complicated. My wishes and prayers during my childhood and youth were always that I would have a better relationship with my father. But it got progressively worse. Another six to seven years went by. God filled the great emptiness in my heart. While studying and praying for the Holy Spirit, my wife and I had a lot of big experiences with God. We prayed for our family and especially for my father. During this time I received new power to love my father. I was able to forgive him for everything that hadn’t gone well in our relationship since my childhood. My father and I are now friends. He also started to become more spiritual and also started telling other people about God. Now, two years later, the relationship to my father is still very good. I thank God for this experience. I used to feel so powerless and often alone. But since I have started to pray daily for the Holy Spirit, I am experiencing a new and wonderful type of life and relationship with God. (Name known by the editor.)
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you that you want to remain in me through the Holy Spirit. Thank you that through daily surrender our trust and love relationship is growing. Lord, help me to get to know the Holy Spirit and His work better. I long to know what He wants to do for me, my family and my church and how we can have the assurance that we can receive the Holy Spirit when we daily ask Thank you for this. Amen
+
+Ellen G. White said: “To Jesus ... the Holy Spirit was given without measure. So it will be given to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered for His indwelling. Our Lord Himself has given the command, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18), and this command is also a promise of its fulfillment. It was the good pleasure of the Father that in Christ should “all the fullness dwell,” and “in Him ye are made full”. <sup>76</sup> Our Father, we ask in Jesus’ name, fill us “with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19).
+
+### Supplement For Ephesians 5:18— “Be Filled With The Spirit!”
+
+We can already see in the English text in Eph 5:18 that this appeal is made in the imperative. Further, we can see that this command is directed to everyone. And we can also see that it is our duty to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit. But the original Greek text makes it even clearer.
+
+Johannes Mager comments on this: “In the New Testament letters there is only one passage which speaks directly about being filled with the Holy Spirit: ‘Be filled with the Spirit.’ (Eph 5:18) In the book of Acts we find that being imbued with the Holy Spirit is a gift, which is used to act in a powerful way in specific situations. However, Paul states being filled with the Holy Spirit as a commandment, which is independent from situations in life and applies to all Jesus’ followers. This short but important command comprises four crucial aspects:
+
+1. The verb ‘fill’ (plerein) is used in the imperative form. Paul does not make a recommendation here or give a friendly piece of advice. He doesn’t make a suggestion that a person can accept or reject. He commands as an empowered apostle. A command always appeals to a person’s will. If a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, then it depends to a large degree on himself. **Christians are subject to the command to strive to be filled with the Holy Spirit**. This is our responsibility as people to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+2. The verb is used in the plural form. The command isn’t directed at a single person in the church, who has special duties. Being filled with the Holy Spirit isn’t a privilege for a few favored people. **The call applies to everyone who belongs to the church—always and everywhere**. There are no exceptions. For Paul it was normal that all Christians should be filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+3. The verb is in the passive tense. It doesn’t say: ‘Fill yourselves with the
+
+Spirit!’, but rather ‘Be filled with the Spirit!’ No person can fill themselves with the Holy Spirit. This is exclusively the work of the Holy Spirit. Herein lies His sovereignty. **But the individual should create the conditions so that the Holy Spirit can fill him. Without his active will the Holy Spirit won’t work in him.**
+
+4. In Greek the imperative is in the present tense. This imperative present tense describes an event that is constantly repeated in contrast to the imperative aorist tense, which describes a one-time action. According to this, being filled with the Holy Spirit isn’t a one-time experience, but rather a recurrent and progressive process. **A Christian isn’t like a vessel that is filled once for all time, but rather has to be constantly ‘refilled’**. The sentence could be expressed this way: **‘Let yourselves be consistently and repeatedly filled anew with the Spirit!’**
+
+**Being filled with the Holy Spirit**, which was given to us at baptism [provided it was a baptism in water and Spirit with a complete surrender], **can be lost when the fullness that was given us isn’t retained**. If it is lost, it can be found again. Being filled with the Spirit must be repeated so that the Holy Spirit can occupy all areas of our life. Then our spiritual life will not wilt feebly. Being filled with the Spirit doesn’t mean that we quantitatively have more of Him, but rather that the Spirit has more and more of us. **That’s why Paul commanded all the believers to be constantly filled with the Spirit**. This is a normal condition for a Christian. One baptism, but many ‘fillings.’” <sup>77</sup>
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> The Lord himself has given the command:<sup>a</sup> Let yourselves be consistently and repeatedly filled anew with the Spirit!<sup>b</sup>
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>67</sup> D. L. Moody, They Found the Secret, pp. 85, 86; quoted in 10 Days—Prayers and Devotions ... by Dennis Smith, p. 23
+
+<sup>68</sup> Joseph H. Waggoner, The Spirit of God (Battle Creek, Michigan 1 877), p. 35f, quoted in Garrie F. Williams, Erfüllt vom Heiligen Geist (Lüneburg, 2007), S. 58
+
+<sup>69</sup> Ekkehard Müller, Die Lehre von Gott: Biblischer Befund und Theologische Herausforderung, Bogenhofen 2010, S. 224
+
+<sup>70</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (1911), p. 284.2
+
+<sup>71</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p.313.4
+
+<sup>72</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898) pp. 671.2, 672.1
+
+<sup>73</sup> Thomas A. Davis, Als Christ siegreich leben (HW-Verlag), S. 43 / How to be a victorious Christian, R&H.
+
+<sup>74</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 173.1
+
+<sup>75</sup> Catherine Marshall, Der Helfer (Erzhausen, 2002), S. 24
+
+<sup>76</sup> Ellen G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 20.3
+
+<sup>77</sup> Johannes Mager was a pastor, evangelist and for many years a university lecturer on systematic theology. Most recently, he was the head of the ministry department in the Euro-African Division in Bern, Switzerland (now the Inter-European Division). Presently he is retired and lives in Friedensau. The quote is from his book: Auf den Spuren des Geistes, (Lüneburg, 1999) p. 100f (with permission from the publishing house)
+
+<sup>a</sup> Ellen G. White, Mount of Blessing, MB 20.3 (egwwritings.org)
+
+<sup>b</sup> Johannes Mager, Auf den Spuren des Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), S. 101
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What does worship “in spirit and truth” mean?`
+
+`2. What mistake are we making when we rely on our water baptism with respect to being filled with the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`3. What implication does Jesus’ sacrifice have for my life have, when I am not filled with the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`4. “Be filled with the Spirit” (see appendix on Eph 5:18). What four essential points can be found in Paul’s appeal?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that the Lord fills you with His Holy Spirit today.
+- [ ] that we daily seek first the kingdom of God that means we submit ourselves to Jesus in everything we are and have.
+- [ ] that Jesus will change our lives.
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+title: What is the relationship between baptism and the Holy Spirit?
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+title: "Chapter 3: Our Problems are Solvable"
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+---
+title: What advantages do we have with a life filled with the Holy Spirit?
+---
+
+### A Comparison Between Carnal And Spiritual Christianity
+
+The consequences of carnal Christianity have already been partially listed for individual persons. Some of the consequences express themselves as follows:
+
+- The person is not saved in this condition (Rom 8:6-8; Rev 3:16).
+- God’s love—the agape love—isn’t in the person (Rom 5:5; Gal 5:22); they are completely dependent on their human love; the lust of the flesh isn’t broken (Gal 5:16).
+- The person hasn’t been strengthened with power through His Spirit (Eph 3:16-17).
+- Christ doesn’t live in this person (1 Joh 3:24; Eph 3:16,17.)
+- The person hasn’t received the power to witness for Christ (Acts 1:8).
+- The person acts in a human way (1 Cor 3:3) which can easily cause rivalries and tensions.
+- As a rule it is harder for this person to accept admonition.
+- Their prayer life may be inadequate.
+- The person only has human abilities to forgive and not bear a grudge.
+- The person doesn’t experience a fundamental change of character (2 Cor 5:17).
+- What Jesus accomplished is only theory; it hasn’t come alive for him (Rom 8:1-4).
+
+The carnal Christian acts at times like a natural man. Paul says: “are you not carnal and behaving like mere men” (1 Cor 3:3 NKJV). Other times his actions are like those of the spiritual person, although he lives by his own power and abilities and seems very pious.
+
+On the other hand, the **spiritual Christian experiences** the fullness of God: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, **to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man**, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; **that you may be filled with all the fullness of God**. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph 3:16-21 NKJV)
+
+### Effects Of Carnal Christianity
+
+I am sorry for the losses in my family and in the churches where I worked as a pastor as a result of my lack of the Holy Spirit. It is also true in this area that we can lead no one further than we are ourselves. We also need to realize that personal deficiencies in the Holy Spirit in an individual person, in a family and in a church adds up and multiplies.
+
+### Children And Youth
+
+Carnal Christianity is a breeding ground for a liberal Christian life. People ignorantly try with good intentions to do what they can’t do and then search for a way out. Is this the reason we are losing so many of our youth? Have we in ignorance or for other reasons set an example for our children and young people of carnal Christianity? As a result, did they become carnal Christians and hence have to struggle with discouragement? Is this the reason why many don’t take it very seriously or don’t come to church anymore or have left the church?
+
+Not long ago an older brother told his church: “There is a reason for the problems we have today in our own lives and in the lives of our youth: the older generation has failed to understand the working of the Holy Spirit and to be filled by Him.” <sup>78</sup>
+
+In the book Christ’s Object Lessons we read: “Many who listen to the preaching of the word of God make it the subject of criticism at home ... Often these things are spoken by parents in the hearing of their own children ... Thus in the homes of professed (carnal) Christians many youth are educated to be infidels.” <sup>79</sup>
+
+May I remind you again of the consequence of lukewarmness (an incomplete surrender to Christ): “Halfhearted Christians are worse than infidels: for their deceptive words and noncommittal position lead many astray. The infidel shows his colors. The lukewarm Christian deceives both parties. He is neither a good worldling nor a good Christian. Satan uses him to do a work that no one else can do.” <sup>80</sup>
+
+However, if we live spiritually, we can show our children how to have God’s power and help. Ellen White says something really amazing: “Teach your children that it is their privilege to receive every day the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let Christ find you His helping hand to carry out His purposes. By prayer you may gain an experience that will make your ministry for your children a perfect success.” <sup>81</sup>
+
+We taught our sons to pray. But did we teach them to pray daily for the Holy Spirit? Or didn’t we know that ourselves? At that time my wife and I didn’t know it. I am thankful that God overlooked this time where we lacked knowledge. But as a consequence how much loss occurred?
+
+What wonderful children spiritual parents will have when they daily commit themselves to Jesus and pray for the Holy Spirit.
+
+### Atmosphere—Divine Love Or Only Being Nice To Each Other?
+
+What difference can it make to the atmosphere of marriages and families, churches and fellowships depending on whether there are carnal or spirituals Christians present? What is it like if the power of God is missing for a disciplined life, if God’s love is missing and the power of sin isn’t broken? A life where all these things are present through God’s grace is a great contrast.
+
+Conservative carnal Christians tend to criticize. This isn’t good. Although we have to talk about God’s good directives, we should at the same time realize that essential change will only happen when the change comes from within.
+
+Liberals tend not to take things seriously and adapt to worldly methods. God can’t bless this either.
+
+Joseph Kidder discovered the following general condition of the church today: “Lethargy, superficiality, worldliness, lack of generosity, ministers are burned out, teenagers are leaving the church, weak self-discipline, plans without any real background or result, a chronic lack of strong and dedicated men.” <sup>82</sup>
+
+The cause of our problem is the lack of our connection with Jesus (John 15:1-5) and too much trust in human efforts (Zech 4:6). Kidder also sees the solution in a life filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
+
+Jesus gave us a new command: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Joh 13:34,35 NKJV)
+
+To love as Jesus does means: to love with divine love (agape). We can only do this when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
+
+“Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent power. The unconsecrated heart [everyone who isn’t filled with the Holy Spirit] cannot originate or produce it. Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found.” <sup>83</sup>
+
+I think there is a massive difference between being only ‘nice’ to each other and going beyond that and loving with God’s love. Ellen G. White gives us a significant clue: “By putting on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, ninety-nine out of a hundred of the troubles which so terribly embitter life might be saved.” <sup>84</sup>
+
+God’s word indicates in 1 Thess 4:3-8 something about marital life. Among other things these verses speak about living in sanctification and respectability within marriage. It is contrasted to the passionate lust of the Gentiles. Since it mentions a life of sanctification three times and also having the Holy Spirit, we realize that a life with the Holy Spirit can and should change our marriage relationships as well. God meant for us to have great joy and fulfillment in our marital life. Doesn’t this show us that God wants to help us deal with loving tenderness rather than with lust?
+
+Jesus prayed for the unity of His disciples: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17: 21 NKJV)
+
+William G. Johnsson says: “Many Adventists still have to comprehend what it means to be one with Christ. In the past we have probably not attached enough importance to it or hitched up the horse at the wrong end.”<sup>85</sup>
+
+Christ is in us when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Spiritual Christianity contributes to having our prayers answered by the Lord. Ellen G. White says: “When God’s people are one in the unity of the Spirit, all of Phariseeism, all of self-righteousness, which was the sin of the Jewish nation, will be expelled from all hearts ... God will make known the mystery which hath been hidden for ages. He will make known what are the ‘riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory’. (Col 1:27).” <sup>86</sup>
+
+### The Difference Between Forgiveness And Being Freed From Injuries
+
+I received the following letter: “I had worked through the process of really forgiving my father and thought that I had made progress. But when I read the booklet (_Steps to Personal Revival_) the Holy Spirit showed me deepseated resentment that I thought I had conquered. Far too often we cling to resentment as justification for some wrong that was done to us. But I have
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “When God’s people are one in the unity of the Spirit, all of Phariseeism, all of self-righteousness, which was the sin of the Jewish nation, will be expelled from all hearts.
+
+learned that we have to let go of these feelings if we want to receive God’s Spirit in fullness. I had to make the decision to let go of them. By God’s grace my heart was stirred by compassion for my father as a lost person and I started to earnestly pray for his salvation. Not long afterwards, my father called my sister and in tears told her ‘Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me’. He shared with her that he had read through the gospel of John and was deeply impressed that Jesus had died for him. Everyone that knew him would say: ‘That isn’t like him at all!’ But God answered my prayers in a remarkable way.”
+
+“The carnal Christian, who doesn’t have or doesn’t have enough of the Holy Spirit, only has the human capability to forgive and not be resentful. The Holy Spirit gives us complete forgiveness and freedom as well as the ability to love the one who has hurt us.” <sup>87</sup>
+
+### Corrective Counseling
+
+Will there be any benefit in corrective counseling when it is not done or hardly done with God’s love? What decisions will a church make if it is composed largely of carnal Christians or even has a carnal pastor or president? When I think back on my work as a pastor, I have the impression that spiritual church members tend to bring fallen members back to reason. And when the person repents and confesses, then the counseling has fulfilled its purpose. Sometimes carnal Christians tend to use counseling as punishment and even misuse it to exercise power (Matt 18:15-17; 1 Cor 3:1-4; 2 Cor 10:3; Jude v. 19).
+
+### God’s Prophetic Word For The Last Days
+
+God has the custom of revealing important developments through His prophets (Amos 3:7). Thus He gave important prophetic messages for the last days through Ellen White. Since many things would be completely different than in past times, it was important and necessary to have relevant additional information from God. Today we would call it an “update”. According to Ellen White these messages are relevant until Jesus comes again. Since her counsel includes lifestyle change, reproof, admonitions, etc. a spiritual person can more easily accept it than a carnal person. (But just because someone takes these counsels seriously, it doesn’t automatically mean that they are spiritual.) It would be wise to think about the words in Deuteronomy 18:19 NKJV: “And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He (the prophet) speaks in My name, I will require it ofhim.”
+
+This shows us clearly that the message from a true prophet doesn’t have to do with that person, but rather with God himself. How can we know if someone is a true prophet? God’s Word gives us five test points. A true prophet must comply with all five points.
+
+1. Their way of life—“Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (Matt 7:15-20)
+2. Fulfillment of prophecies: Deut 18:21-22 (with the exception of conditional prophecies—for example Jonah.)
+3. Call for loyalty to God (God’s word) (Deut 13:1-5).
+4. Recognize Jesus as a true person and the true God (1 John 4:1-3)
+5. Agree with the teachings of the Bible (John 17:17).
+
+All of God’s commands, including His counsel through the prophets,
+
+are for our own good. That is why they are exceptionally valuable. Hence spiritual people can obey in God’s power and with joy and know that it contributes to success in life. “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; **believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.**” (2 Chron 20:20b NKJV)
+
+Our Sabbath school study guide says the following about the relationship between a life with the Holy Spirit and the word of a true prophet: “Whoever rejects the prophetic word, closes themselves to the instruction of the Holy Spirit. The result today is no different than it was then—loss of a relationship with God and being open to negative influences.” <sup>88</sup>
+
+Why is this so? Can the Lord give us the Holy Spirit when we reject a gift of the Holy Spirit—the prophetic word?
+
+### Planning/Strategy
+
+An important task is to search for good solutions and methods for conducting the tasks of the church and mission work. It is a question of our plans and strategies. It mainly has to do with strengthening the church spiritually and winning more souls.
+
+I have been baptized for 65 years and have been a minister for 43 years. We have developed an abundance of programs and methods. We were very industrious. In this context I have to think again about the words of Dwight Nelson at the General Conference session in 2005.
+
+“Our church has exhaustively developed admirable forms, plans and programs, but if we don’t finally admit our spiritual bankruptcy [lack of Holy Spirit], which has taken hold of many of us ministers and leaders, we will never go beyond our pro forma Christianity.” <sup>89</sup>
+
+In the same tenor Dennis Smith says the following: “I have nothing against plans, programs and methods. But I am afraid that we often depend on these things to move God’s work forward. Plans, programs and methods will not complete God’s work. Great speakers, wonderful Christian concerts, satellite broadcasts won’t end God’s work. God’s Spirit will end the work—God’s Spirit that speaks and serves through Spirit-filled men and women.” <sup>90</sup>
+
+### Baptism/Winning Souls
+
+The Bible shows us that the Holy Spirit is a crucial prerequisite for winning people for Christ (see the book of Acts). In Germany we have on the one hand churches which are growing and on the other hand churches which are stagnant or shrinking. Worldwide, the number of members in our church has grown twentyfold in the last 60 years. We can certainly list many reasons for this situation in Germany. But one thing is clear for me: The main reason is the lack of the Holy Spirit. Naturally this problem has intensely preoccupied us. We have developed or adapted many plans and programs. We have seen that a lack of the Holy Spirit in this great effort has led to a loss of funds and time since we pursued unnecessary or unsuccessful ways. Two quotes from Ellen G. White illustrate this situation: “The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members [carnal Christians] have on new converts?“ <sup>91</sup>
+
+“If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one.“ <sup>92</sup>
+
+Notably, we baptise people who aren’t prepared sufficiently. Ellen G. White said: “The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ.” <sup>93</sup>
+
+This was written in 1897. What is the situation like today? The problem is: whoever isn’t born again hasn’t been filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 NKJV) Isn’t it true that we meet with the lack of the Holy Spirit in every area?
+
+### The Holy Spirit And Preaching
+
+God tells us the following about the meaning of the Holy Spirit and preaching: “The preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence and aid of the Holy Spirit. This is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. Only when the truth is accompanied to the heart by the Spirit will it quicken the conscience or transform the life. One might be able to present the letter of the word of God, he might be familiar with all its commands and promises; but unless the Holy Spirit sets home the truth, no souls will fall on the Rock and be broken. No amount of education, no advantages, however great, can make one a channel of light without the co-operation of the Spirit of God.” <sup>94</sup>
+
+Preaching doesn’t only take place during a sermon, but also in lectures, Bible studies, care groups or other means.
+
+Randy Maxwell says: “But the truth is, we’re dying of thirst for contact with the living God!” <sup>95</sup>
+
+Does the lack of the Holy Spirit also cause us to fear? Could Emilio Knechtle be right when he says: “Why don’t we succeed in turning this corrupt world upside down? Something has gone wrong with our convictions. We are afraid of conflicts, we are afraid of run-ins, we are afraid of difficulties, we are afraid of losing our job, we are afraid to lose our reputation, we are afraid to lose our lives. So we keep silent and hide. We are afraid to proclaim the gospel to the world in a loving and yet powerful manner.” <sup>96</sup>
+
+The solution to this problem is found in Acts 4:31 NKJV: “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
+
+The Holy Spirit And Our Literature
+
+The following is said about our literature: “If the salvation of God is with the one that writes for the paper, the same spirit will be felt by the reader. A piece written in the Spirit of God, angels approbate and impress the same upon the readers. But a piece written when the writer is not living wholly for the glory of God, not wholly devoted to him, angels feel the lack in sadness. They turn away and do not impress the reader with it because God and his Spirit are not in it. The words are good but it lacks the warm influence of the Spirit of God.” <sup>97</sup>
+
+**What meaning does this insight have for the distribution of literature?**
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> I want to emphasize again: Naturally everything we did wasn’t wrong. By no means. We have developed good and very good things; God certainly blessed our human efforts as far as possible. But the important question is: Do we approach these duties as spiritual or carnal Christians? One thing is certain: When we struggle to find solutions on a carnal basis, we will invest a lot of time in vain; we will perform many tasks, which will be of no use.
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>78</sup> Garrie F. Williams, Erfülltsein vom Heiligen Geist – Wie erfahren wir das? (Lüneburg 2007), S. 8
+
+<sup>79</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 45.1-46.1
+
+<sup>80</sup> EGW Letter 44, 1903, quoted in Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.7, p.963 on Rev 3:15-16
+
+<sup>81</sup> Ellen G. White, Child Guidance (1954), p. 69
+
+<sup>82</sup> Dr. S. Joseph Kidder, Anleitung zum geistlichen Leben (Andrews University), PPP Folie 3+4
+
+<sup>83</sup> Ellen G. White, Acts of the Apostles (1911), p. 551.2
+
+<sup>84</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 348.3
+
+<sup>85</sup> William G. Johnsson, Adventgemeinde in der Zerreißprobe (Lüneburg 1996), S. 118
+
+<sup>86</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1 (1958), p. 386.1
+
+<sup>87</sup> Excerpt from the General Conference Prayer Letter Number 148)
+
+<sup>88</sup> Studienanleitung Standardausgabe, Philip G. Samaan, 10.11.1989, to question 8
+
+<sup>89</sup> Helmut Haubeil (Hrsg.), Missionsbrief Nr. 34, (Bad Aibling, 2011) p. 3
+
+<sup>90</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days—Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming (Wien, 2012), p. 88
+
+<sup>91</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6 (1901), p. 370.3
+
+<sup>92</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9 (1909), p. 189.4
+
+<sup>93</sup> Ellen G. White, MS 148 (1897)
+
+<sup>94</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 671.4
+
+<sup>95</sup> Randy Maxwell, If my people pray (Pacific Press, 1995), p. 11
+
+<sup>96</sup> CD Die letzte Vorbereitung, Teil 6
+
+<sup>97</sup> Ellen G. White, PH 016, p. 29.1
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What are the results of carnal Christianity?`
+
+`2. Why is half-heartedness such a great problem?`
+
+`3. What loss do we suffer when we don’t take the message of a true prophet seriously?`
+
+`4. Why is the Holy Spirit so important in our preaching, in our literature and multimedia?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that the Lord will fill you with the Holy Spirit today.
+- [ ] that we are completely aware of the fact that God personally speaks to us through true prophets.
+- [ ] that preaching without the Holy Spirit only brings human results.
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+title: What advantages do we have with a life filled with the Holy Spirit?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/04-what-differences-can-we-expect/04-what-do-we-lose-when-we-dont-pray-for-the-holy-spirit/04-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/04-what-differences-can-we-expect/04-what-do-we-lose-when-we-dont-pray-for-the-holy-spirit/04-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+---
+title: What Differences Can We Expect?
+---
+
+What do we lose when we don’t pray for the Holy Spirit?
+
+HOLY SPIRIT: NO FORMER RAIN, NO LATTER RAIN
+
+“The former rain, being filled with the Holy Spirit, brings us the necessary spiritual maturity, which is essential so that we can benefit from the latter rain.” <sup>98</sup>
+
+“The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.” <sup>99</sup>
+
+### The Holy Spirit And Biblical Sanctification
+
+“This work (biblical sanctification) can be accomplished only through faith in Christ, by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God.” <sup>100</sup>
+
+### Great Mission Work Without The Holy Spirit?
+
+Could great institutions, successful evangelistic programs and powerful mission strategies have been developed without the Holy Spirit? Andrew Murray, the great missionary to South Africa, knew that this scenario was very possible and, indeed, reality in most of Christendom when he wrote:
+
+“I may preach or write or think or meditate, and delight in being occupied with things in God’s Book and in God’s Kingdom; and yet the power of the Holy Spirit may be markedly absent. I fear that if you take the preaching throughout the Church of Christ and ask why there is, alas! so little converting power in the preaching of the Word, why there is so much work and often so little success for eternity, why the Word has so little power to build up believers in holiness and in consecration—the answer will come: It is the absence of the power of the Holy Spirit. And why is this? There can be no other reason but that the flesh [see Gal 3:3] and human energy have taken the place that the Holy Spirit ought to have.” <sup>101</sup>
+
+### The Holy Spirit And Health
+
+“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Rom 12:1 NIV)
+
+“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Cor 3:16-17 NKJV)
+
+“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor 6:19,20; see also: Exodus 15:26)
+
+People filled with the Holy Spirit are God’s temple. Have you ever stopped to think what implications this has for your life? A temple is God’s dwelling place. God said to Moses: “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” (Ex 25:8)
+
+If we take this statement seriously, then taking care of our health and our lifestyle will become a deliberate part of our discipleship. Our body belongs to God. Do you want to treat God’s property carefully? Yes, we want to treat our bodies carefully and according to God’s instructions! This demands a certain amount of discipline. Someone, who is filled with the Holy Spirit, can and will usually implement this discipline with joy. The reward is better health in body, soul and spirit. Someone, who isn’t filled with the Holy Spirit, will struggle and suffer disadvantages. God expects that we maintain the best possible health in body and spirit for His glory, for His service and for our own joy. In this area there is also no replacement for being filled with the Holy Spirit. When Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit, then He is also “the Lord who heals you”. (Exodus 15:26) Healing is always manifest in a way that is best for the person concerned and also to God’s glory. This can raise the question: Does the divine doctor heal everyone?
+
+“An older Cambodian woman came as a refugee to a mission hospital, which was in a refugee camp in Thailand. She was dressed in the clothes of a Buddhist nun. She asked to be treated by Dr. Jesus. So they told her about Jesus. She placed her trust in Him and was healed body and soul. When she was able to return to Cambodia she was able to win 37 people for Christ.”<sup>102</sup>
+
+During loyal king Hezekiah’s sickness the Lord sent him a message: “Surely I will heal you.” (2 Kings 20:1-11) But why didn’t the Lord heal him with a word, but instead gave him the task of putting on a fig poultice? Could it be that the Lord expects our participation through natural remedies or changes in our diet, exercise, rest, etc.? Why didn’t God heal Paul, but left him with a “thorn in his flesh”? Paul himself said: “Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations.” (2 Cor 12:7-10) However Ellen G. White tells us: “The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine that can be received by a sick man or woman. Heaven is all health; and the more deeply the heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid.” <sup>103</sup>
+
+Isn’t it remarkable and significant what a certain business man wrote? He shared how all the health seminars hadn’t done him any good. But since he started to daily pray for the Holy Spirit, he had completely shifted to a healthy lifestyle and had adopted a vegetarian diet.<sup>104</sup> Doesn’t this show that being filled with the Holy Spirit can motivate us and give us strength along with joy to accept a healthy lifestyle?
+
+A sister read this experience. She wrote: Through my complete surrender to Jesus, God changed my life completely in a moment. After my prayer of surrender I went into the kitchen the next morning, stood by the coffee machine, shook my head and said to myself: no, I don’t drink coffee anymore. In the past this would have been unthinkable, because when I tried to quit drinking coffee, I had had horrible headaches for five days—these were strong withdrawal symptoms. This time I didn’t even think about what consequences it would have for me. I only knew that I didn’t want to drink coffee anymore. Today I have no more desire for coffee. <sup>105</sup> This was only one of many changes in her life. (I recommend the 5th “Andreasbrief” or “Andrew Letter” on victory over tobacco and alcohol for anyone who wants to be free from addictions. It explains in length the way to deliverance through prayer and promises [available in German and English]. <sup>106</sup>)
+
+A life with the Holy Spirit will greatly promote health reform. It is a matter of health information linked with power to change. Don Mackintosh, Director of Newstart Global, Weimar, CA, says: “The real need of our day is not simply health education—we have excellent information. What is needed is health information coupled with power to put it into practice, which is the power to change.” <sup>107</sup>
+
+Dr. Tim Howe says: “Health education alone is not medical missionary work. Health education does not provide healing any more than the law of God provides salvation. To realize health or salvation the transforming power of God must be experienced.” <sup>108</sup>
+
+Finally, I would like to ask the question: What about faith healings? Can any be expected without being filled with the Holy Spirit? (see Mark 16:1718; James 5:14-16)
+
+Preparation For Jesus’ Second Coming
+
+There is no substitute for intimate fellowship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit as preparation for the Second Coming. When Christ lives in me through the Holy Spirit, then I am ready through His grace. The three following areas can show this. (This is dealt with in detail in Spirit Baptism and Earth’s Final Events, by Dennis Smith.)
+
+**Personal Relationship to Christ**
+
+Jesus said: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3 NKJV) “Know” has a deeper meaning in the Bible than it does today in the English language. It means a complete, mutual and loving commitment. It is only present in a life with the Holy Spirit. This thought is expressed in the following quote:
+
+“We must have a living connection with God. We must be clothed with power from on high by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that we may reach a higher standard; for there is help for us in no other way.” <sup>109</sup> In the parable of the 10 virgins Jesus said to the foolish ones: “I do not know you.” What was the reason? The lack of oil, which represents the lack of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 25:1-13). The men, who crucified Jesus, had great knowledge of the Old Testament. But because of their false interpretation they didn’t look for a personal relationship with Jesus.
+
+Are we aware that the generation of the last days, due to end-time circumstances, will need an intimate connection to God?
+
+**Righteousness by Faith**
+
+God’s last message to humanity in the three angels’ message has to do with the question of the proclamation of the “eternal gospel” (Rev 14: 6-7). What is the essence of this message that the whole world should and will hear? It is righteousness by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9). Those who proclaim this last day message with power, must experience the power of the message themselves. They have to know and experience righteousness by faith through Jesus alone as the forgiver and redeemer from sin. This is only possible in a life filled with the Holy Spirit through which Jesus Christ who enables our obedience. Jesus dwelling in us is shown by obedience to all of God’s commands. The world will be illuminated with this message (Rev 18:1).
+
+**Love for the Truth**
+
+What effects will be present in our lives today with or without a life filled with the Holy Spirit in reference **to love for the truth, studying God’s word and implementing the truth in our lives?** 2 Thess 2:10 NKJV says, that “... those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved”. Those, who cannot be misled, have the love of truth in their hearts. How do we get this love? We can only have it when Jesus Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit. Rom 5:5 says that the love in our hearts comes from the Holy Spirit. Eph 3:17 tells us that we will be “rooted and grounded in love” through the Holy Spirit. In John 16:13 the Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of truth”. This shows us clearly that it is necessary to be a spiritual Christian in order to have a love for the truth. Do we have problems today with the love for the truth, to God’s word, to prophetic writings? Consider the times ahead of us: “Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive... Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses?“ <sup>110</sup>
+
+God doesn’t ask if we have discovered all truth, but rather He asks if we love the truth.
+
+### Fruit Of The Spirit Or Works Of The Flesh
+
+“The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as in another. It works in and through every one who receives Christ. **Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit reveal the fruits of the Spirit** ...” <sup>111</sup>
+
+Gal 5:22 NKJV: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Eph 5:9 NKJV: all goodness, righteousness and truth.
+
+Gal 5:16-21 NKJV shows us that the power of sin will be broken in us through the Holy Spirit.
+
+“... walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (see also Rom 7:23+8:1) “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
+
+### Spiritual Gifts
+
+“Under spiritual gifts we mean the gifts given by the working of the Holy Spirit as they are listed in 1 Cor. 12:28 and Eph 4:11: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, administrators, a variety of tongues. These gifts play a part in ‘the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry’. ... They validate the testimony of the church and give it leadership and guidance.” <sup>112</sup> The Holy Spirit also gives other talents for specific purposes: “in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship” (Exodus 31:2-6) or architecture (1 Chron 28:12, 19).
+
+When we want to become Jesus’ disciples we surrender to Him everything we have and are. Hence all our talents and abilities, inherent as well as learned, are placed at His disposal. He can give us additional talents and/or He can refine and purify our natural abilities.
+
+Can we have spiritual gifts when we have a lack of the Holy Spirit?
+
+### God’s Choice Or The People’s Choice?
+
+We have a worldwide democratic structure in the church. But it was never thought of as popular democracy. The real goal of our votes is that everyone personally listens to God’s voice and casts his vote accordingly. By listening to God’s voice it makes God’s will known through the vote. We certainly pray before taking part in any board meetings. Often the opportunity is given before a vote is cast for personal prayer so that it becomes clear to each person how God wants them to vote. Nehemiah said: “Then my God put it into my heart ...” (Neh 7:5) and Ellen G. White said about Nehemiah chapter 1: “And as he prayed, a holy purpose had been forming in his mind ...” <sup>113</sup>
+
+Will a carnal Christian hear God’s voice? If he hasn’t consciously and completely surrendered to the Lord, then he certainly won’t get an answer (Ps 66:18; Ps 25:12). If someone, who is a carnal Christian, votes sincerely to the best of his knowledge, then humanly speaking it is ok. But in the moment human agreements are made, it becomes manipulation and sin.
+
+The leaders have a great influence on God’s work. It definitely makes a big difference and can have major consequences if brothers and sisters are leading who have been called by God or who have been chosen only by a human vote.
+
+While reading a book on prayer I realized that we may ask God to show us the way we should go (Ps 32:8). The quiet listening to God’s voice changed my whole life. I tell about this experience in an article called “From Business Representative to Pastor” (only available in German).<sup>114</sup> There is also a good sermon to listen to from Kurt Hasel “How can I make the right decisions?” (also only available in German) <sup>115</sup> And there is also a profound sermon to read from years ago by Henry Drummond: “How can I know God’s will?” (only available in German) <sup>116</sup>
+
+I am convinced that we will directly seek God’s counsel more and more in the last days.
+
+Joel 2:28-29 indicates this. Ellen G. White comments: “We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10).” <sup>117</sup>
+
+### Money
+
+What differences are there between spiritual and carnal Christians in relation to gaining and dealing with money? Do we see ourselves as the owners of our resources or as God’s stewards? “Love of money and love of display have made this world as a den of thieves and robbers. The Scriptures picture the greed and oppression that will prevail just before Christ’s second coming.” <sup>118</sup>
+
+### God’s Angels Protect God-Fearing People
+
+God’s angels protect God-fearing people. “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” (Ps 34:7 NKJV) “A guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. These heavenly watchers shield the righteous from the power of the wicked one.” <sup>119</sup> —When the Bible talks about God-fearing people, followers of Christ and righteous people being under God’s protection, does this mean that it applies to anyone who sees themselves as a Christian? Does it also apply to those who haven’t completely surrendered their lives to God? It is true for children, because Jesus said in Matt 18:10 NKJV: “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” David, who completely entrusted his life to God, knew that he had no grounds for fear. He said: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps 27:1 NKJV)
+
+(I recommend that you read the section about the ministry of good angels in Ch.31 of the book The Great Controversy). This is a great joy for every child of God.
+
+### Closing Remarks
+
+We have only touched on a few areas. There are still many areas of life and faith which could be added. For all of them the following is true: When we review the differences now, there is not a single area that doesn’t have major advantages through a life with the Holy Spirit. And the other way around, there isn’t a single area where we don’t have great disadvantages with a life without the Holy Spirit. Shouldn’t this be a great motivation for us to daily dedicate our lives to God and to ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
+
+“Some years ago a Boeing 707 took off from the Tokyo airport headed for London. It had a great take off. There was a clear, sunny sky. Soon the passengers could see the famous Mount Fuji in Japan. All of a sudden the pilot had the idea to circle around the mountain so that the passengers could enjoy this rare view.
+
+He left the designated course of flight and changed over to visual flight. During visual flight the pilot dispenses with the security of the ground control center and depends completely on what he sees. The pilot saw the mountain close under him. His altimeter showed 4000 meters. What he didn’t see was the fall winds and gusts of wind, which raged around Mount Fuji. The Boeing 707 was no match for the winds. The plane broke in the air, crashed and all of the passengers died.” <sup>120</sup>
+
+The carnal Christian lives in “visual flight mode“. He makes all the decisions himself. In spite of his best intentions he will fail. The spiritual Christian lives through the Holy Spirit in a loving and trusting relationship with His Lord, who leads him to a safe destination.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you that the indwelling of Jesus through the Holy Spirit makes such a positive difference in us and in our work. Please open my eyes even more to the work of the Holy Spirit. Please give me this fullness of life through Him, which Jesus wants to give us. Please help me to discover the key to solving this problem in the next chapter and to put it into practice. Thank you. Amen.
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> I have come to bring fire on the earth. How I wish the fire had already started! Jesus in Luke 12:49 NIRV
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>98</sup> Dennis Smith, 40 Days—Prayer and Devotions to Revive Your Experience with God, book 2 (Vienna, 2013), p. 175
+
+<sup>99</sup> Ellen G. White, The Faith I Live By (1958), p. 333.3
+
+<sup>100</sup> Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (1911), p. 469.3
+
+<sup>101</sup> Randy Maxwell, If My People Pray (Pacific Press 1995), p. 145
+
+<sup>102</sup> Author unknown, Our Daily Bread—Worship book (RBC Ministries), 26.Nov.1993
+
+<sup>103</sup> Ellen G. White, Medical Ministries (1932), p. 12.3
+
+<sup>104</sup> Email from 7.3.2013
+
+<sup>105</sup> Email from November 18, 2014 from Sister M.
+
+<sup>106</sup> Andrew Letter Nr. 5, Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol, https://steps-to-personal-revival.info, button: Victory over Tobacco and Alcohol.
+
+<sup>107</sup> Dave Fiedler, D’Sozo (Remnant Publications), Foreword
+
+<sup>108</sup> Dave Fiedler, D’Sozo (Remnant Publications), Foreword
+
+<sup>109</sup> Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1892
+
+<sup>110</sup> Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (1911), p. 625.3
+
+<sup>111</sup> Editor Francis D. Nichol, Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6 (Hagerstown, 1980), p. 1112
+
+<sup>112</sup> Hrsg. Gerhard Rempel, Schlüsselbegriffe adventistischer Glaubenslehre (Hamburg), S.44
+
+<sup>113</sup> Ellen G. White, Southern Watchman, March 1, 1904
+
+<sup>114</sup> www.gotterfahren.info—GottverändertLeben—VomProkuristzumPrediger
+
+<sup>115</sup> www.gotterfahren.info—WegezumZiel:Gotterfahren—GottesBotschaftfürunsereZeit—Thema Nr. 11
+
+<sup>116</sup> Missions brief.de—Predigten lesen—Henry Drummond: Wie erkenne ich den Willen Gottes? (Deutsch und Englisch)
+
+<sup>117</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 363.3
+
+<sup>118</sup> Ellen G. White, Prophet and Kings (1917), p. 651.1
+
+<sup>119</sup> Ellen G. White,The Great Controversy (1911), p. 512.2
+
+<sup>120</sup> Kalenderzettel February 17, 1979 by Reinhard Petrik
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. Can great mission work also take place without the Holy Spirit? How productive is it?`
+
+`2. What effect does the Holy Spirit have on my lifestyle? (daily routines, health, clothing, relationships)`
+
+`3. What does the “love of the truth” mean for my life?`
+
+`4. What are spiritual gifts?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that the Lord fills you with the Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] that you recognize why the end-time generation needs a special measure of the Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] that we deal with money in a manner that can be blessed by God.
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+title: What do we lose when we don't pray for the holy spirit
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+title: "Chapter 4: What Differences Can We Expect?"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/05-the-key-to-practical-experience-praying-with-promises/05-how-can-i-implement-and-experience-gods-solution-for-me/05-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/05-the-key-to-practical-experience-praying-with-promises/05-how-can-i-implement-and-experience-gods-solution-for-me/05-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+---
+title: How can I implement and experience God’s solution for me?
+---
+
+### Prayer And Being Filled With The Holy Spirit
+
+It is important that we go on this journey through faith and that we ask with faith for the Holy Spirit. That means that after praying for the Holy Spirit we need to trust and be certain that the Lord has answered our prayer and that He has already given us the Holy Spirit while asking.
+
+Gal 3:14 NKJV says: “... that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Another translation (NIRV) says: “... that we might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit by believing in Christ.”
+
+God has given us a great help so that we can easily trust our heavenly Father. We call it “praying with promises”. “To blot the promises of God from the Word would be like blotting the sun from the sky.... God has placed the promises in His Word to lead us to have faith in Him.” 121
+
+### Praying With Promises
+
+First, here is a helpful example: Let’s assume that my child isn’t good in French at school. I want to encourage my child to work hard at French. I promise him that if he gets a good grade on his report card that he will receive $20 from me. The child starts to study hard. I also help him with French and he really does get a good grade. What happens now? When the child comes home from school and comes through the front door he calls loudly: “Dad, $20!” Why is he so certain that he will get $20? Because a promise had been made and he has fulfilled the requirements. In fact, this is normal for most people today.
+
+But it could be that at that moment I don’t have $20. Can it be that God doesn’t have something that He has promised? Impossible!
+
+Or it could be that I take my promise back and say: “I read in a book on education that you shouldn’t use money to motivate children to study. So I can’t give you the $20.” Does God change His mind later? Impossible!
+
+We can see that when we have a promise from God and have fulfilled the requirements, then there is only one possibility: We receive the promise!
+
+Through God’s promises He wants to encourage us to move in a certain direction. He bids us receive the Holy Spirit, which will give us God’s power in our lives. He wants to make it easy for us to trust Him. Trust is at the heart of faith.
+
+Now we want to read some key Bible verses in 1 John 5:14,15 NKJV for praying with promises: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that **if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us**.”
+
+God gives a general promise that He answers prayers that are according to His will. God’s will is expressed in commandments and promises. We may rely on them in our prayers. Then in verse 15 it goes on to say: “And if we **know** that He hears us, whatever we ask, **we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him**.”
+
+Another translation (NIRV) says: “If we know that God hears what we ask for, **we know that we have it**.”
+
+What does that mean? Our prayers according to God’s will are answered in **the same moment that we bring them to God**. But emotionally we usually don’t notice anything. Our prayers are answered by faith, not by our feelings. The feelings will come later on.
+
+In praying with nicotine and alcohol addicted people I have learned: At the moment when they pray for deliverance they don’t notice anything. They receive the answer by **faith**. But a few hours later they notice that they don’t have any craving for tobacco or alcohol anymore. At this moment they have received the **practical** answer to their prayer.
+
+Jesus said in Mark 11:24 NKJV: “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you **receive** them, and you will have them.”
+
+Ellen G. White said: “We need look for no outward evidence of the blessing. The gift is in the promise, and we may go about our work assured that what God has promised He is able to perform, and that **the gift, which we already possess, will be realized when we need it most**.” <sup>122</sup>
+
+So we shouldn’t be searching for outward proof or an emotional experience. Roger J. Morneau said: “The spirits [demons] would encourage people to listen to their feelings instead of the word of Christ and His prophets. In no surer way could the spirits obtain control of people’s lives without the individuals realizing what was happening.” <sup>123</sup>
+
+Praying with promises opens God’s treasury for us. Our loving heavenly Father opens an inexhaustible account for us. “They (the disciples) may expect large things if they have faith in His promises.” <sup>124</sup>
+
+Ellen White says: “... plead for the Holy Spirit. God stands behind of every promise He has made. With your Bibles in your hands, say: ‘I have done as Thou hast said. I present Thy promise, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ Christ declares: ‘What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.’ ‘Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’ (Matthew 7:7; Mark 11:24; Joh 14:13)“ <sup>125</sup>
+
+### Two Groups Of Promises
+
+At the same time it is important to make a careful distinction between the promises in the Bible. “**The spiritual promises** for forgiveness of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for power to do His work **are always available** (see Acts 2:38,39). But the promises for temporal blessings, even for life itself, are given on occasion and withheld on occasion, as God’s providence sees best.” <sup>126</sup>
+
+Here is an example: Isa 43:2 NKJV “When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” God kept this promise in a wonderful way for the three friends in the fiery furnace (Dan 3). But on the other hand, the reformers Hus and Jerome were burned at the stake in Constance. We could say that their prayers weren’t answered. But nevertheless, weren’t they answered in a fashion that we aren’t acquainted with? Why? A papal writer described the death of these martyrs as follows: “Both bore themselves with constant mind when their last hour approached. They prepared for the fire as if they were going to a marriage feast. They uttered no cry of pain. When the flames rose, they began to sing hymns; and scarce could the vehemency of the fire stop their singing.” <sup>127</sup> If someone is burned, they can only scream. Their behavior shows that God did intervene, just not in the manner which is readily visible for us. This shows me that the temporal promises still have significance for us.
+
+### Thanking For The Answer
+
+Now for another important aspect. When our requests have been granted at the moment we asked, then it is right to thank God for the answer in the next. Our thanks at this moment expresses our trust in God that He has answered our prayer and that we expect it to be fulfilled when we need it most. Some believers notice something immediately after they pray. But for many believers it is similar to Elijah’s experience: The Lord wasn’t in the storm, in the earthquake or in the fire, but rather in the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12). This was also my experience.
+
+After a long period of time I thought nothing had happened. Then I suddenly noticed that many things had taken place in me without me realizing it.
+
+### Change My Thinking
+
+This means: **It is necessary to change my thinking at this moment**: “... but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ...” (Rom 12:2 NKJV)
+
+Now it is correct to say: Thank you that you answered my prayer. Thank you for already granting my request. Thank you that I will experience it at the right time.
+
+**This is not self-manipulation**. With self-manipulation I am trying to persuade myself. When I have prayed with a promise, then I have a divine basis for my changed thinking because I have already been answered through faith. In this case, if I don’t change my thinking, then I am showing God I don’t trust Him, but am relying on my feelings. With this behavior I am making God a liar and will therefore not receive anything.
+
+It is also important that I act accordingly, even when I don’t notice anything. God always integrates the necessity to believe. He wants us to trust Him. Think about the crossing of the Jordan River. The priests first had to step into the water and then the water divided. Naaman had to dip in the water seven times before he was healed.
+
+Maybe you are saying: “I can’t do that. I can’t even imagine doing that.” Please remember that there are a lot of things we can’t explain. To this day, we don’t know what electricity is, yet we all use it. Neither do we know how children learn to talk, but they all learn to communicate. “In the natural world we are constantly surrounded with wonders beyond our comprehension. Should we then be surprised to find in the spiritual world also mysteries that we cannot fathom?” <sup>128</sup>
+
+Let’s think about Prov 3:5-6 NKJV: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Here we find clear prerequisites from God for this promise of directing our paths. Every prerequisite is also a commandment. If we aren’t sure that we have fulfilled the prerequisite, then we may pray for willingness with the surety that the Lord will answer us immediately. “... but if you are ‘willing to be made willing’, God will accomplish the work for you ...” <sup>129</sup>
+
+Something small that may help: Do we know what we are doing when we have prayed with God’s promise, have fulfilled the requirement and then doubt being answered? We are making God into a liar. Under no circumstances do we want to do that. In this case, pray: Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Then trust!
+
+**(Another reading recommendation: There is very valuable advice on praying with promises in the chapter “Faith and Prayer” in the book Education by Ellen G. White. )**
+
+### Praying For The Holy Spirit
+
+I think we have the best qualifications for praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But we shouldn’t forget that it doesn’t have to do with making God willing to do our will, but rather believing in His promises and His trustworthiness.
+
+### Promise For Receiving The Holy Spirit
+
+The Lord has given us wonderful promises for receiving the Holy Spirit: Luke 11:13 NKJV: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, **how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit** to those who ask Him!”
+
+Hasn’t our heavenly Father made a binding commitment here? The requirement in this wonderful promise is: ask! Yet Jesus doesn’t mean to ask one time, but to make a constant appeal.
+
+However, it is important to see the context here. We should also read the other texts which speak about the same thing, for example:
+
+**Acts 5:32** NKJV: “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
+
+The requirement here is: **obedience!** We can see here that we can’t sup-
+
+port ourselves with only one text: we also have to consider the context of the promise. It doesn’t have to do with being obedient once with something that is pleasant for us. Rather, it has to do with obeying Him: our wonderful redeemer and friend. Obedience creates joy. Pray every morning for an obedient heart. Pray that the Lord will make you willing to do everything He wants to and will certainly help you accomplish it. This creates a good prerequisite.
+
+**John 7:37** NKJV: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”
+
+Here it has to do with the **desire** for the Holy Spirit. If you have no desire, or think you have too little, then you may pray for desire. It is a request according to God’s will, which will be immediately answered. When we ask our wonderful God He will create in us “the desire and the accomplishment”. We may also pray for the desire for a close relationship with God, to love Him with our whole hearts, to serve Him with joy, to have a growing desire for Jesus and His soon return and reunion in God’s kingdom, a desire to read God’s word and to learn from it, as well as the desire to help and be equipped to help save the lost.
+
+**John 7: 38-39** NKJV: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.”
+
+Here the condition is: **belief**! We see here that our faith in Jesus Christ,
+
+our trust in God, is an important prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit. But when we pray with promises, then believing is easy.
+
+**Gal 5:16** NKJV: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
+
+We actually have a promise here, which is expressed as a command.
+
+When God wants me to walk in the Spirit, then that clearly means that He wants to fill me with the Holy Spirit. And He shows us here that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, then we aren’t at the mercy of our lusts anymore. The Holy Spirit breaks the power of sin in us (Rom 8:1-17, especially v. 2). Through the Holy Spirit “the deeds of our body” are put to death (Rom 8:13). Think of Paul, who said about himself: “I die daily.” It is something tremendously valuable not to be at the mercy of the works of the body (Gal 5:18-21), but rather to grow the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
+
+We can compare sin not being able to invade our lives to the assembly of binoculars. In order for no dust to get into the lenses the room has to be over-pressurized. This means that the air moves outwards when the door is opened. No dust can enter. In the same way, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, “you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”. (Additional information on this subject is in the section: “Can a person remain spiritual?” at the end of the chapter.)
+
+**Eph 3:16-17, 19** NKJV: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love ... that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
+
+Maybe we don’t notice any of the power for a long time. It could be like it is in nature. In the winter the trees are bare and in spring they are green. There are tremendous powers at work in this revitalization. We cannot see or hear them. But then we see the results. That is the way it was for me. I thank God that He gives me abundant power.
+
+Another example: We have known for a few decades that we have electric currents in our bodies. They are there. But we aren’t aware of them.
+
+**Eph 5:18** NKJV: “...be filled with the Spirit” or “let yourself be continually and repeatedly refilled with the Spirit”. <sup>130</sup>
+
+**Acts 1:8** NKJV: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me ...”
+
+The disciples were commanded to wait until the power came. They
+
+didn’t wait idly. “The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for supremacy, they came closer in Christian fellowship.” <sup>131</sup> We may also pray with this promise.
+
+### What Do Pastors Say? (Part 2)
+
+**I reached my full complete ministry.**
+
+God is so good and has blessed us all through this amazing book. I am a retired pastor. When I first read this book, it changed my whole life. I have read it four times and conducted three seminars _Steps to Personal Revival_. After the second series of seminars, I felt that I have now reached my full complete ministry. P. J. 261118 from Papua Newguinea
+
+**Steps book found at www.revivalandreformation.org of the General Conference**
+
+I was blessed by the book _Steps to Personal Revival_ It has been a touching experience for me to read this book. My life has changed, and after having read it several times in three months, I have shared this message with several churches. I have also passed the soft copy of the book on to all pastors at the Conference Pastors’ Meeting [Conference 80,000 members].
+
+I found the book on the website Revival and Reformation of the General Conference. I was looking for valuable thoughts for a revival seminar. There I found the book in Swahili and used it in the seminar. It was a great experience for me. I pray that the same fire will reach every leader and every pastor and all the members of our church.
+
+L. M. 08072019 from Tanzania/East Africa – shortened, #140
+
+**I put off reading because I thought I already knew it to well. I was so wrong.**
+
+I praise the Lord for the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_. ...I remember being given this booklet in January, but I put off reading because I thought I already knew it to well. I was so wrong. Then as I seek again for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, 3 or 4 weeks ago, a colleague sent me a pdf copy of this booklet. I was so excited that it came, while I needed it most. While reading I fell on my knees asking the Lord for forgiveness for why I had allowed myself to neglect this very important area of my life. Yesterday, Sabbath, I fasted and prayed and surrendered my life again to the Lord and asked Him to use me and show me clearly the specific ministry that He wants me to do for Him. My work requires me to travel to different countries every month ... I believe that this is a great opportunity for me to pass on this very important message through the power of the Holy Spirit to our brothers and sisters. M. A. EE130518 from Philippines, #109
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>121</sup> Ellen G. White, My Life Today, p. 338.2
+
+<sup>122</sup> Ellen G. White, Education(1903), p. 258.2
+
+<sup>123</sup> Roger J. Morneau, A Trip into the Supernatural, Review and Herald 1982, p. 43
+
+<sup>124</sup> Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 668.1
+
+<sup>125</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimony Treasure, vol. 3, p. 213.2
+
+<sup>126</sup> Morris L. Venden, 95 Theses on Righteousness by Faith (Pacific Press 1987), p. 60
+
+<sup>127</sup> Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (1911), p. 109.3
+
+<sup>128</sup> Ellen G. White, Education (1903), p. 170.1
+
+<sup>129</sup> Ellen G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing (1896), p. 142.1
+
+<sup>130</sup> Johannes Mager, Aufden Spurendes Heiligen Geistes (Lüneburg, 1999), S.101
+
+<sup>131</sup> Ellen G. White, Acts of the Apostles, p. 37.1
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: How can I implement and experience God’s solution for me?
+---
+
+`1. When we claim promises in prayer, why can we expect this prayer to be answered?`
+
+`2. What am I saying to God when I have claimed a promise in prayer and don’t expect it to be answered?`
+
+`3. What are the two categories of promises? What is the difference between these two groups?`
+
+`4. List a few promises dealing with the Holy Spirit:`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that the Lord fills you with the Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] that your prayers will be strengthened through claiming promises.
+- [ ] thank God that His word doesn’t return empty.
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: How can I implement and experience God's solution for me
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/05-the-key-to-practical-experience-praying-with-promises/05-how-should-i-pray-so-that-i-am-sure-of-being-filled-with-the-holy-spirit/05-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/05-the-key-to-practical-experience-praying-with-promises/05-how-should-i-pray-so-that-i-am-sure-of-being-filled-with-the-holy-spirit/05-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+---
+title: How should I pray so that I am sure of being filled with the Holy Spirit?
+---
+
+### No Positive Result ...?
+
+“A young man was looking for counsel, since he wanted to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He was really struggling. The pastor asked him: ‘Have you completely submitted your will to God?’ ‘I don’t think I completely have.’ ‘Well’, said the pastor, ‘then it won’t do any good to pray [to be filled with the Holy Spirit], till you have completely submitted your will to God. Don’t you want to submit your will to God now?’ ‘I can‘t’, he replied. ‘Are you willing for God to do it for you?’ ‘Yes’, he answered. ‘Then ask Him to do it.’ He prayed: ‘Oh God, empty me from my own will. Bring me into complete submission to your will. Lay down my will for me. I pray in Jesus’ name.’ Then the pastor asked: ‘Did it happen?’ ‘It must have’, he said. ‘I asked God for something according to His will and I know that He answered me and that I have that which I prayed for (1 John 5:14-15). Yes, it has happened—my will has been laid down.’ Then the pastor said: ‘Now pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit [being filled with the Holy Spirit].’ He prayed: ‘Oh God, baptize me now with Your Holy Spirit. I pray in Jesus’ name.’ And it happened immediately when he laid down his will.” <sup>132</sup>
+
+### The Great Difference Before And After
+
+Even though I was acquainted with praying with promises for a long time and used it in special situations and experienced wonderful answers to prayer, I thought for many years that it was good enough if I just simply asked for the Holy Spirit in prayer without relying on specific promises. I know that many have the same opinion. I don’t want to say that this is something wrong. But when I look back at my personal experience, I regret that I prayed this way without any promises. For a few years now I have been praying daily with promises for the Holy Spirit, so that after my prayer I have the assurance that I am now filled with the Holy Spirit. Through an experience on October 28, 2011 I realized the great difference in my life: before and after. (more page 108)
+
+Since I have started praying with promises my relationship with God has become more intimate and Jesus is closer to me and has become greater to me. This isn’t just a subjective feeling; I can link it to the following things:
+
+- While reading the Bible I often have new and encouraging insights.
+- In the battle with temptation I can remain victorious.
+- My prayer time has become very precious to me and brings me great joy.
+- God answers many of my prayers.
+- I have greater joy and more “boldness” (Acts 4:31c) to tell others about Jesus.
+- I have become more sociable with my own friends.
+- I live happily through God’s grace and feel secure in His hand.
+- In a difficult phase—my dear wife was ill and disabled for four years and then died—our the Lord sustained me in a wonderful way and strengthened me from within.
+- I realized what spiritual gifts the Lord had given me.
+- Criticism stopped. When I hear others criticizing I feel uncomfortable.
+
+The change took place quietly. I noticed it first after I had spent some time daily praying for the Holy Spirit with biblical promises. Since then I am experiencing a different kind of Christianity. Previously my life with God was often laborious and difficult; now I experience joy and power.
+
+I am sorry for the losses in my personal life because of the lack of the Holy Spirit, for the losses within my marriage and family and for the losses in the churches where I served as a pastor. When I realized this I asked the Lord for forgiveness.
+
+It is unfortunately true in this area that we can’t lead anyone further than we are ourselves. We also want to remember that the personal shortcomings of individuals in the family and the church add up or multiply.
+
+In order for others not to lament the same mistakes in their lives, I want to add a few thoughts.
+
+In 2 Peter 1:3-4 it says that through an intimate relationship with Jesus we may “through the ... great and precious promises ... be partakers of the divine nature”.
+
+This also means that the Holy Spirit is given to me through the promises. You can compare the promises to bank checks. When we present a signed check from an account holder, we can withdraw money from someone else’s account. As God’s children (John 1:12) we can daily withdraw with the checks (the promises) signed by Jesus. It wouldn’t do any good to present our own checks, even if we had the checks made by an artist. We need the signed checks from the account holder.
+
+There is another reason which may encourage us to pray with promises. There is power in God’s word. Why did Jesus pray on the cross three times with words from the Psalms? Why did He defend himself and rout Satan with Bible verses during Satan’s temptations in the wilderness? (Matt. 4:4, 7,10) He said: “Man lives through **every word** that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
+
+Jesus, the creator, knew that there is power in God’s word. “In every command and in every promise of the word of God is the power, the very life of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized.” <sup>133</sup> What a wonderful statement! The power of God and His life are in every promise. When we pray with promises we are using God’s word in our prayer. It says about God’s word: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void...” (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV)
+
+I plan only to pray for the Holy Spirit with promises. When praying with promises I know that after I have asked for the Holy Spirit that I have received Him based on the promise in God’s word in 1 John 5:15 NKJV: “And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, **we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him**.” When I pray without a promise, then I hope that my prayer will be answered. It’s better to take the time for a prayer like this and experience a blessed day, rather than to complain about failures in the evening.
+
+I received an email which was written with great joy: “I never thought it was possible that it would make such a big difference if I prayed for God’s leading throughout the day with ‘my own words’ or if I prayed with promises from the Bible! Promises have always been very important to me. I have always believed in them, but I failed to claim them daily. My life with Jesus has gained a deeper, more joyful, more confident and calmer dimension. I thank God for this.” <sup>134</sup>
+
+For this reason, I have decided to share an example of a prayer with promises for the Holy Spirit. Naturally, it can be shortened. It is important that we learn to pray for ourselves directly from God’s word. But the vital point is that our faith is strengthened by the promises in such a way that after we have prayed we have the assurance that we have received the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit when we believe what we pray.
+
+Jesus himself wants to live in us through the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:24; John 14:23). Ellen G. White said: “The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul.” <sup>135</sup> The power that changed Peter, Paul and many other people is also available to us. He also gives us the verse, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man”. (Eph 3:16)
+
+Being filled by the Holy Spirit is the key to a life of faith, joy, power, love and victory over sin. “... where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Cor 3:17b)
+
+In a message I received it said the following: “Many church members daily pray the suggested prayer in twos. For the last five months I have been praying it with my girlfriend. Not only is everything progressing in personal areas, but also in the home, relationship, marriage, spiritually and in church—not in a manner that causes great conflicts, but rather it happens in a quiet, natural way. We are amazed and see this as God’s clarification process, which can make life easier in ways, since we feel God’s closeness more and more.” <sup>136</sup>
+
+### Can A Person Remain Spiritual?
+
+Yes! When we don’t allow an attitude of unbelief to develop and we breathe spiritually: “exhaling” by confessing our sins and “inhaling” by making use of God’s love and forgiveness and by renewing our prayer of faith to be filled with the Holy Spirit. <sup>137</sup>
+
+It is like the relationship with our children. When a child is disobedient, he/she still remains our child. But we feel a disruption in the relationship. The child may not be able to look us in the eye. This disruption is corrected by confessing.
+
+But a person can naturally become carnal again in the long-run. The Bible doesn’t speak about “once saved, always saved”. Our sinful nature still exists. “None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin.” <sup>138</sup>
+
+But through a life with the Holy Spirit and with Jesus in our hearts the power of sin is broken so that we can live a happy and strong Christian life. Our righteousness is only in Jesus Christ “...who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor 1:30 NKJV). This important topic is dealt with in detail in the booklet Abide in Jesus, chapter 3: “Jesus abiding in you”
+
+If we have become carnal again by a lengthy neglect of the spiritual life or by the failure to breathe spiritually, then we can know that a compassionate redeemer is waiting for us.
+
+It is important that we know the way that we can be renewed by God’s grace and hopefully lead a spiritual life forever. No one need remain carnal. But remember both personally and in general what Randy Maxwell said: “Do we think that the resuscitation of God’s church from near spiritual death can be accomplished without effort?” <sup>139</sup>
+
+The abundant life here and eternal life in the future, the salvation of many people and our thanks for Jesus’ great sacrifice, is worth the effort. The crucial thing is meeting our Lord in the morning for worship. It is here that He equips us with power.
+
+### We Read The Following About The Apostle John:
+
+“Day by day his heart was drawn out toward Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. His resentful, ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ. The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart. The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character. This is the sure result of union with Jesus. When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed.” <sup>140</sup>
+
+“Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from your law.” (Ps 119:18 NKJV) Thank You that you are leading me and I can say: “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.” (Ps 119:162 NKJV)
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Invisible armies of light and power attend the meek and lowly ones who believe and claim the promises of God. Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 176
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>132</sup> Reuben A. Torrey, Der Heilige Geist–Sein Wesen und Wirken (Frankfurt, 1966), S. 150
+
+<sup>133</sup> Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (1900), p. 38.2
+
+<sup>134</sup> Email to H. Haubeil C. S. 
+
+<sup>135</sup> Editor Francis D. Nichol, Adventist Bible Commentary vol. 6 (Hagerstown, 1980), p. 1112
+
+<sup>136</sup> Email to Helmut Haubeil: E. S. 
+
+<sup>137</sup> Helmut Haubeil & Gerhard Padderatz, Gott, Geld & Glaube (Eckental, 2009), p. 97
+
+<sup>138</sup> Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (1911), p. 561.1
+
+<sup>139</sup> Randy Maxwell, If My People Pray (Pacific Press, 1995), p. 158
+
+<sup>140</sup> Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ (1892), p. 73.1
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@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+title: A Model Prayer With Promises For The Daily Renewing Of The Holy Spirit
+---
+
+Father in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus our Savior. You said: Give me your heart. (Prov 23:26) I want to do that now by submitting myself to you today with everything I am and have.<sup>1</sup> Thank you that you have already answered this prayer according to Your will, because Your word says that if we pray according to Your will we know that we have already received it (1 John 5:15). And you also said that you would by no means cast anyone out who comes to you (John 6:37).
+
+Jesus said: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Luk 11:13)
+
+You further said that you would give the Holy Spirit to those, who believe in you (John 7:38-39), who obey you (Acts 5:32), who let themselves be renewed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18) and who walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16). This is my desire. Please accomplish this in me. For this reason I sincerely ask you Father to give me the Holy Spirit today. Since it is a request according to Your will, I thank You that have given me the Holy Spirit now (1 John 5:15). Thank You that I have received Your divine love at the same time, because Your word says: “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” (Rom 5:5; Eph 3:17) I want to say with the psalmist: “I will love You, O Lord, my strength.” (Psalm 18:1) Thank you that I can love my fellow human beings with Your love.
+
+Thank You that through the Holy Spirit the power of sin has been broken in me (Rom 8:13, Gal 5:16). Please save and protect me today from sin and from the world, give me protection from the fallen angels, save me from temptations and when necessary snatch me and save me from my old corrupt nature (1. John 5:18).
+
+And please help me to be Your witness in word and deed (Acts 1:8). I praise You and thank You for hearing my prayer. Amen.
+
+<sup>1</sup> “Only those who will become co-workers with Christ, only those who will say, Lord, all I have and all I am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons and daughters of God.” Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (1898), p. 523.1
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@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+I invite you to print out the example prayer. Put it where you have your morning worship. At first, it may feel strange to pray a written prayer. Read the prayer, pray the prayer and within a short time it will become more natural for you.
+
+`1. Why don’t we need to have any reservations about using a written prayer?`
+
+`2. What are the results of claiming promises in prayer?`
+
+`3. A suggestion: study the two key passages for claiming promises in prayer in different Bible translations. (1 John 5:14.15 and 2 Peter 1:3.4)`
+
+`4. Why is it worthwhile to daily place yourself under God’s protection?`
+
+`5. How can we remain spiritual Christians?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that the Lord will fill us with His Holy Spirit today.
+- [ ] that we daily place ourselves under God’s special protection.
+- [ ] that we remain consistent spiritual Christians.
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+title: How should I pray so that I am sure of being filled with the Holy Spirit?
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/05-the-key-to-practical-experience-praying-with-promises/section.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/05-the-key-to-practical-experience-praying-with-promises/section.yml
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+title: "Chapter 5: The Key To Practical Experience Praying With Promises"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/06-what-experiences-lie-ahead-of-us/06-personal-experiences/06-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/06-what-experiences-lie-ahead-of-us/06-personal-experiences/06-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+---
+title: Personal experiences, as well as experiences from churches, a conference and a union
+---
+
+### The Experience Of A Brother
+
+“For the past two years I have been praying daily for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life. My request is that Jesus will thus live in me in greater abundance each day. My walk with God [during this time] has been unbelievable. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 has become more visible in my life since I ask Jesus to live in me, to do His will in me and to daily renew me with the Holy Spirit. I have greater joy in reading the Bible, sharing Christ with others and I have a strong desire to pray for others; furthermore, my life-style has changed dramatically. I see this all as a confirmation of my daily search for God and my daily request for the Holy Spirit.” C. H.
+
+He shared further: “I challenge you to pray daily to be filled with the Holy Spirit for six weeks and see what happens.”
+
+### Personal Testimony Of Dwight Nelson
+
+We want to share a personal testimony. It is from Dwight Nelson, the senior pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church at Andrews University. The prayer ministry of the General Conference sent the prayer letter to 40,000 subscribers.
+
+**How _Steps to Personal Revival_ changed my life**
+
+“I never anticipated how this booklet would dramatically change my life— how I pray, how I preach, how I treat other people—it has changed my ministry. In all my years of schooling, preaching and teaching no one ever told me that the Bible and Ellen White call us to daily pray for a new baptism of the Holy Spirit. As a pastor how could I have worked and preached so long without learning about such an important truth!
+
+But that is exactly what Helmut Haubeil’s book _Steps to Personal Revival_ taught me. By the time I arrived home, I had already read the book. To date I have read the book four times and my life has changed. Ask my wife and the members of my church! For years I held sermons on receiving the Holy Spirit and held series on this important topic. But now I have discovered a way to meet Jesus every morning and to do what Jesus did as a human: He prayed for a new baptism of His Spirit.
+
+I humbly confess that God has set the bar higher for my prayer life. I always spent a lot of time reading the Bible, but comparatively little time in prayer. Now it is the opposite. I spend a lot of time praying in my “closet” on my knees talking with God and only then do I pick up His Word so that He can talk to me.
+
+My sermons have acquired a new freedom and intensity. My leadership in my team and church have risen to a higher plane. Suddenly, I am experiencing more “coincidences” (sometimes called synchronicity). It is as if someone is orchestrating my days and nights, my “coincidental” meetings, emails and conversations. It is as if the Holy Spirit is personally directing my waking hours (and even my sleeping hours). I have really gotten to know God as a personal and truly dear friend.
+
+Why am I telling you this? In no way do I profit from it. But I am sincerely convinced that you will profit from it. Jesus is coming soon. We still have to reach a world, a whole generation with the eternal gospel. We can never accomplish this commission alone. We can only hope that we learn what Jesus knew, that we practice what Paul and the first disciples did. We need a DAILY baptism with the Holy Spirit for our life and our ministry. And we will only receive it, when we daily humbly ask for it.
+
+I don’t know who you are, but I am praying for you as I write this. We receive the promised blessing when we ask for it. Jesus promised: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11;13 NKJV) Don’t you also want to daily ask for the Holy Spirit?
+
+### 40 Days Of Prayer In Serbia
+
+“In September 2010, we translated and published the book 40 Days— Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming. We made it available to all church members in our union. Then we organized weekly and daily prayer meetings during the following 40 Days in local churches and in members’ homes, where people fasted and prayed for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
+
+As this happened, a completely new climate began to develop in the local congregations. Inactive church members have become active and more interested in serving others. Those, who fought with each other for years over different issues (and had even stopped talking with each other!), reconciled, and began making plans for community outreach together.
+
+Then in October 2010, during the Annual Council, “the Revival & Reformation initiative” was introduced. We gladly accepted it, seeing it as a continuation of what God had already started in our Union.
+
+We have seen closer fellowship, greater unity and better common understanding among the Union officials as immediate results of these prayer meetings.” <sup>141</sup>
+
+### 40 Days Of Prayer In Zurich, Switzerland
+
+“Our pastor and I each received independently from each other a book whose contents thrilled us. Its title is: 40 Days—Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming by Dennis Smith, Review and Herald Publishing Association. This book can’t be read and then just set aside. The contents changed my life.
+
+Since our church in Zurich-Wolfswinkel (with about 100 members) sensed a great need for revival and prayer, we planned 40 Days of Prayer for the fall of 2011. The book gave detailed and valuable information for this and in addition, 40 appropriate daily worships.
+
+The topics deal with being filled by the Holy Spirit, prayer, preaching, the life of Jesus and spiritual fellowship.
+
+So we started our 40 Days on October 1, 2011 with great anticipation and expectation. Fortunately, most of the church members took part. Prayer partners met to pray daily, text messages were sent daily and people prayed over the phone every day. One group met every morning at 6 a.m. for worship and prayer.
+
+Our 40 Days were an unforgettable experience. God answered many of our prayers, especially in connection with a series of lectures on biblical prophecy, which took place at the same time. These lectures were a great blessing. We had many visitors and 20 people registered for the following prophecy seminar. (Follow-up in March 2013: Between 50-60 guests came, which hasn’t happened in Zurich in 20 years.)
+
+God’s Spirit has made ongoing changes in our church and it is a joy to see how our small groups are starting to grow and how church members, who are eager to give Bible studies, find interested people. Those who participated now have a deep desire for the continuation of the work of God’s Spirit. We want to thank Him from our whole hearts and give Him the glory.” Béatrice Egger, from the Adventist church in Zurich-Wolfswinkel.
+
+### 40 Days Of Prayer And Evangelism In Cologne, Germany
+
+Pastor Joao Lotze is German-Brazilian. He worked for 38 years in churches and hospitals in Brazil, as well as in a union and the South American Division. He retired in March 2012. He and his wife agreed to come to Cologne as “His Hands Missionaries” and work in the Portuguese and Spanish speaking churches.
+
+“We started in Cologne with small care groups to encourage the church members and to invite guests. Based on our experiences in Brazil we carried out 40 Days of Prayer in Cologne. The materials were available in Portuguese.
+
+The churches with Portuguese, Spanish and German speaking members joyfully started the 40 Days of Prayer. We prayed daily for 100 friends and acquaintances. These peoples’ names were written on a black board in the church. Not until we had reached the 30th to 35th day of prayer did we let these people know we were praying for them and at the same time invited them to a special Sabbath service for guests. 120 people came to this special church service. Christian Badorrek, the director of Personal Ministries for Nordrhein-Westfalen, held the sermon. Some of the guests cried with joy when they saw their names on the board.
+
+Afterwards, Antonio Goncalves, an evangelist from Brazil, held an evangelistic series for 15 days. Each evening he spoke for 1,5 hours (with translation). The title of the series was: ‘Let the Bible surprise you’. The topics had to do with the second coming, as well as topics from Daniel and Revelation. The lectures and the songs were translated from Portuguese into German. There were small choirs and good music each evening. Every evening closed with an altar call. We are thankful for the good reactions. The church members prayed intensively, especially for the people from the 40 Days of Prayer.
+
+Our church sanctuary seats 80 people. But more than 100 people came. On the weekends the church was full and during the week there were about 60 people. 32 guests attended regularly. This led to 8 baptisms and 14 people joining the baptismal class. By the end of the year 13 people were baptized.
+
+We have had many surprising experiences. It was difficult to find a translator. A catholic teacher offered to help. But she didn’t have much experience with the Bible. Then we prayed for a protestant translator. Soon afterwards we got to know a lady in a restaurant, who explained that she translated with great joy from Portuguese to German in the Pentecostal church. She was our translator for the evangelistic series and she was also baptized.
+
+Maria, the translator, asked if she could invite her friend Elisabeth to come. She is the leader of a small Columbian church in Cologne with 13 members. She came and brought members from her church with her. Since then two of these people have also been baptized. Elisabeth and her family are now receiving Bible studies.
+
+Another experience is connected with the Hope Channel. A German woman found the Hope Channel by coincidence and was impressed by what she heard, including what was said about the Sabbath. She invited her husband to listen with her. He also enjoyed the messages. One day when they went to visit her mother, they were impressed to drive along another route. Along the way they saw a sign for a Seventh-Day Adventist Church. They realized they were the Adventists from Hope Channel. On Sabbath she went to the church service. Then she invited her husband and then her mother to join her. Since then all three of them have been baptized.
+
+Another experience involves a Russian-German sister. She took part in the 40 Days of worship and started to pray for her Russian speaking neighbors. When she told one of her neighbors that she was praying for her, the neighbor was very surprised and said that she was looking for a church that kept the biblical Sabbath. She and other neighbors came to the evangelistic series. Two of them have been baptized.
+
+Another experience involves a woman named Jeanne. She had been a member of the Baptist church in Brazil and now she was searching in Cologne for a Portuguese speaking church. She got in touch with the Adventist church, received Bible studies and was baptized. After her conversion she called her relatives in Brazil and told her uncle, who is an Adventist, that she is also an Adventist now. It was a big surprise for her mother, her siblings and the Baptist church in Brazil, which she had been a member of. Her family in Brazil subsequently visited an Adventist church to inform themselves about the Sabbath. This has led to five people being baptized in Brazil: her mother, two of her sisters and other relatives. Now she is praying for the conversion of her other sister, who lives in Argentina. She wants to be together with them in God’s kingdom.
+
+Under God’s leading we have had many other experiences. At the first baptism eight people were baptized—one each from Italy, Germany, Peru, Brazil, Ukraine, Venezuela, Columbia and Russia.
+
+In the fall we again had an evangelistic series in connection with the 40 Days of Worship. Jimmy Cardoso and his wife, who originally come from Brazil, but now live in the USA, held the evangelistic series. Although the series only lasted a week, we were able to baptize four dear people at the end. They had been having Bible studies previously. There were three Germans and one Italian.
+
+Both of the baptisms were held in the main church in Cologne, which has 400 members and a beautiful baptismal facility.
+
+We thank God that He surprised us in such a great way. I am convinced that He still has even greater experiences waiting for us. Please keep us in your prayers.” João Lotze, Cologne, Germany
+
+**Vital Intercession**: “I first just simply read the book [the 40 Days book] through. From the first page on I was very impressed. We shouldn’t only pray for someone, but also affectionately care for them. This makes intercession come alive. Unfortunately, I had never seen intercession in this way before. Living out your faith! I am convinced that it is just as important for the person, who is praying, as it is for the person, who is being prayed for. Likewise, it convinced me from the start that the fellowship in the church would be strengthened. Oh, I hope that such fellowship will happen as it is described in the last chapters of the book. To be honest, I had to cry, because I have yearned for such fellowship for a long time. I am convinced that the book ‘Christ in me’ nurtures us and frees us from our own accomplishments. I have read several books about ‘Christ in me’, but this book seems to be the most helpful. I believe that your prayer life will be strengthened by this book, that the fellowship in the church will be nurtured and that it will make intercession more alive. This book gives me hope for myself, for the church and for the world. I thank God for this book. Next, I plan to study the 40 Days guide book, pray over it and then take it wherever God shows me.”
+
+A few weeks later I received another email from this sister. “As you know I simply read the book through at first. But since I have started to study the worships with my prayer partner I have discovered that they are even more valuable than I thought at first. I have gotten answers to things which I hadn’t been able to on my own. Thank God for my prayer partner, who is participating intensively and actively.” H. K.
+
+**Not sure anymore**: “The booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_ has touched me extraordinarily. ... Having been born in an Adventist family I believed I was taking the right path. The chapter on the ten virgins and especially Romans 8:9b: ‘Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His’ really shocked me. I suddenly wasn’t sure anymore if I had the Holy Spirit and if He was working in me, because I was sorely missing the corresponding ‘fruits’ in my life. This Sabbath afternoon I finished reading the booklet and a profound and fathomless sadness came over me. Then I read the prayer near the end of the book and a deep desire arose within me to receive the Holy Spirit, to let Him change my heart and that God would form me according to His will. ...” A. P.
+
+**Know HIM**: “Some time ago I read your article on revival. I have been preoccupied with this topic for about three years. Now, I just started to read _Steps to Personal Revival_. I can only say AMEN to it! I am glad that in these pages I found many of ‘my own’ thoughts. I am under the impression that in our church we are missing the goal by an inch. I can’t shake off the feeling that we have lost sight of the essentials! Often it has to do with ‘what is the truth’, ‘how we should live’ or ‘how important prophecy is’, and I’m not saying this is wrong. But we overlook WHY God gave us these things! Doesn’t the truth aim for complete fellowship with God? Instead, shouldn’t these areas help us REALLY get to know God? Isn’t the aim of prophecy that we acknowledge God’s greatness and omnipotence, that we understand that He holds the whole world in His hand and directs it and that in the same way He can lead and shape our lives? What is eternal life? John 17:3 NKJV: ‘And this is eternal life, that they may KNOW You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.‘ In the parable the bridegroom simply says to the five foolish virgins: ‘I know you not.’ The aim of our faith is to simply know God, to have fellowship with HIM, so that HE can fill us as He filled the temple back then (2 Chron 5:13-14). And when He flows through us, fills our whole being, then we aren’t living, but rather Christ is living in us.” (Author known by editor)
+
+### Amazing Answers To Intercession
+
+“The second 40 Days book from D. Smith is an unbelievable blessing for me. Some of the people I have prayed for have experienced a 180° turnabout in their lives.
+
+During the 40 Days I had a deep spiritual conversation with a friend. He told me that His life had taken a different course in the last few weeks. He had a greater need to pray, was reflecting more on God’s word and was able to let things go that had been valuable and desirable to him before. I got up my courage and told him about the 40 Days book and also told him that he was one of the five people that I was praying for. Then he responded in positive surprise: ‘So you are responsible for this whole thing.’
+
+A girl made the decision to dedicate her life 100% to God. Although she had been a believer since she was a child, she had been living without God. She had no interest in faith and was completely ensnared in a worldly life. She has completely changed now; everyone who knew her and sees her now is amazed. She is studying the Bible with me now and is taking part in the 40 Days program in our church and wants to encourage others to have a more serious faith-life.
+
+Another young girl, who I prayed for, had to take part in a week-long training course and had to stay in accommodation together with the other participants. She was worried about spending this time with all these strangers. One day before she left I encouraged her in prayer and told her that I had been praying for her for quite a while. So we prayed that God would give her peace in this situation and that He would make this experience an answer to prayer. During the training course she called me and excitedly told me that God had done something unbelievable with her. He not only had given her perfect peace, but He had also given her the courage not to take part in the evening amusements, which consisted of discos, alcohol, etc.
+
+After the 40 Days I have continued praying for these people, since I have heard and seen the great ways in which God answers prayer.” A. M. (shortened version)
+
+### How God Works Through Intercession
+
+“In the last five years I had gotten completely out of touch with an important person to me. He seemed to ignore my messages. I had heard that he hadn’t been going to church anymore over the past three years. (He had grown up in the church.) And that he was in a relationship with a non-Christian woman. I put this young man on my prayer list, even though I didn’t think it would be possible to get back in touch with him, since he lived 600 km away and never answered me. Nevertheless, I prayed for a ‘sign of life’.
+
+On short notice I heard about the upcoming baptism of his brother, which ‘just happened’ to be taking place near me and was on a date during the 40 Days of Prayer (it had originally been planned for another date). I decided to attend—and met him! We were able to have a very deep discussion and he told me that for some time he had had an increasingly great need to come back to God, but that he didn’t have the strength to change his lifestyle. I told him that for the past 20 days I had been praying intensively for him and that even before that he had been on my prayer list. He was speechless that exactly during this time he had felt God working on him.
+
+During the very spiritual baptismal service he was very moved and when the pastor made an appeal, I could feel the battle that was taking place in him and after a long struggle he finally fell on his knees and started to cry. He surrendered himself to God again! At the end of the evening, he told me that he had decided to attend church regularly again and to change his lifestyle. He never expected this weekend to end in this way.
+
+A few weeks later I met him at a youth mission conference, which again strengthened him and built him up. I thank God for the repentance of a beloved person.” M. H.
+
+I would recommend the books from Roger Morneau to anyone who wants to learn more about intercessory prayer: A Trip into the Supernatural, The Incredible Power of Prayer, When you Need Incredible Answers to Prayer and More Incredible Answers to Prayer. (These books are available at your local Adventist Book Center.)
+
+### Prayer Letter No. 148 Prayer Ministry Of The General Conference
+
+**The Miracle of Spiritual Healing**
+
+One morning after I had read the daily worship on www.revivalandreformation.org , I went to the section “Featured Resources”. There I saw a booklet with the title _Steps to Personal Revival_ by Helmut Haubeil. As I read, I realized that I had seldom asked for the Holy Spirit in my life. I went to church, had daily worship and even gave a few Bible studies. But my spiritual life lacked depth. I felt disconnected. God answered my prayer and I longed for more.
+
+Up to this point I had experienced God working in my life—He had helped me out of depression and supported me in my darkest moment— an attempted suicide. I had grown up under extremely troubled circumstances. For years I hadn’t had any contact with my father, but recently we had spoken on the telephone since he was seriously ill and had been in the hospital for a long time. He thought his life was coming to an end and for the first time in 60 years he apologized for the abuse and neglect of our family. Our conversation didn’t make the situation any better, but it brought all the pain I had experienced to my consciousness. I had very little help through relationships and didn’t want to live anymore and decided to take my life. But God protected me and began to heal my wounds.
+
+At this time, I got hold of the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_. It shows the steps to be filled with the Holy Spirit. What a change I have since experienced! Now I daily pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and can hardly wait to see what God will do next in my life. It is hard for me to ask and wait on the Lord and to trust His faithfulness, since I grew up in a very difficult family. But I am learning to trust my heavenly Father and this trust is replacing my need to have everything under control and to protect myself from pain. I yearn to be free in Jesus and to be led by Him. And I am so thankful for the suggestions in the booklet that lead me to the gift of the Holy Spirit. I have discovered that while reading the Bible the words go directly to my heart. It isn’t simply reading the Bible anymore, but rather it is personal fellowship and a growing relationship with Christ. God is giving me the deeper relationship that I yearned for!
+
+I had worked through the process of really forgiving my father and thought that I had made progress. But when I read the booklet (_Steps to Personal Revival_) the Holy Spirit showed me deep-seated resentment that I thought I had conquered. Far too often we cling to resentment as justification for some wrong that was done to us. But I have learned that we have to let go of these feelings, if we want to receive God’s Spirit in fullness. I had to make the decision to let them go. By God’s grace my heart was stirred by compassion for my father as a lost person and I started to earnestly pray for his salvation. Not long afterwards, my father called my sister and in tears told her “Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me.” He shared with her that he had read through the gospel of John and was deeply impressed that Jesus had died for him. Everyone that knows him would say: “That isn’t like him at all!” But God answered my prayers in a remarkable way.
+
+Recently I ordered 10 copies of the booklet and gave them to members of my church—they also wanted to pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the meantime, I have seen how _Steps to Personal Revival_ has enriched their lives. How many of us go our own way as Christians without connecting to the power of the Spirit? I fear many of us go to church, outwardly look like good Christians, but are inwardly empty. I am starting to experience what God promised: He can do much more than we can ask or imagine. Do you have a similar problem to mine? God can fill you with His Spirit and give you real help. He can do the same thing for you as He did for me.” D. A.
+
+### The Church In Ludwigsburg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
+
+“At first we studied the 40 Days book as a couple and experienced great personal benefit and blessings during the time of prayer. Afterwards, we organized a prayer meeting twice a week in the church and read the book with the church members. We distinctly experienced God’s blessing and leading and experienced many miracles during the 40 Days. As a church God refreshed and revived us: church members, who had never had the courage to speak with strangers, suddenly spoke with strangers by their own initiative. God is binding us as a church closer together through prayer together. We had the privilege of having special experiences in the intercession and support of the five people that we prayed for during the 40 Days. God worked in a special way in these people’s lives. Again and again people from the street suddenly appear on Sabbath in the church service. We are giving Bible studies to one of these families. They had gotten acquainted with the Sabbath through videos on the internet and the book The Great Controversy and had been searching for a church for some time.” Katja and Christian Schindler, Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ludwigsburg (shortened version).
+
+### 40 Days Experience
+
+“Everything started with a seminar on _Steps to Personal Revival_. At that time a desire grew within me to experience God in my daily life. Then I heard about the 40 Days of prayer and worship. It was immediately clear to me— I wanted to experience this adventure. Actually, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Finding a suitable prayer partner (which is part of the program) wasn’t difficult. The challenge for me was to find time for each other every day for 40 days. As a nurse I have very irregular working hours. I hadn’t even thought about that. Nonetheless, God blessed my decision from the very start. With longing I waited for those precious minutes of the day in which we could share with each other about the topic and plead for the Holy Spirit. We discovered that the prayers changed something in our lives. And we couldn’t keep it to ourselves. With every opportunity that came we felt impressed to share something. It was important to me to motivate other people to have the same experience. The effect didn’t fail to appear. Some church members were infected with our enthusiasm. Quickly new worship pairs got together. We looked forward to sharing every week what we had experienced. This ‘virus’ was also caught by quite a few of our youth. The 40 days ended much too quickly. We didn’t want to and simply couldn’t stop. So we continued our worship time with the book Maranatha—The Lord is coming by Ellen White. And God didn’t make us wait for long. Still during the 40 days He gave us many wonderful answers to prayer. Someone who we had prayed for during this time came into contact with the church again after a long absence. We were so happy. The people around me became more important to me. My desire to share God’s love with other people grew stronger. My life changed. Many of us got to know and understand each other better. Many take part in each other’s lives and are there for each other. Fellowship has a completely new meaning. The 40 Days of prayer and worship by Dennis Smith was a great help to me. It is easier than it seems to find a prayer partner and to experience God. The people dear to us will thank us for it.” Hildegard Welker, Crailsheim SeventhDay Adventist Church, (a nurse on the surgical ward.) (slightly shortened)
+
+### Jesus Our Example
+
+Jesus is our greatest example in all things. In Luke 3:21-22 NKJV we read:
+
+“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him ...”
+
+Ellen G. White said the following about this event: “In response to His prayer to His Father, heaven was opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove and abode upon Him.” <sup>142</sup>
+
+It is amazing what happened during His ministry: “Morning by morning he communicated with his Father in heaven, receiving from him daily a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit.” <sup>143</sup> If Jesus needed a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit daily, then how much more do we need it!
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>141</sup> M. Trajkovska, Southern European Union, Belgrade, quoted in www.revivalandreformation.org
+
+<sup>142</sup> Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power (1995), p. 14.4
+
+<sup>143</sup> Ellen G. White, Signs of the Time, Nov. 21, 1895
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/06-what-experiences-lie-ahead-of-us/06-personal-experiences/06-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/06-what-experiences-lie-ahead-of-us/06-personal-experiences/06-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. What experiences have people had that have asked for the in-filling of the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`2. What changes do you want for yourself and for the life of your church?`
+
+`3. What changes could you personally make with the guidance of the Holy Spirit?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that the Lord fills us with the Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] that we joyfully submit everything we are and have to the Lord today.
+- [ ] for the people on your intercessory prayer list.
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/06-what-experiences-lie-ahead-of-us/06-personal-experiences/info.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/06-what-experiences-lie-ahead-of-us/06-personal-experiences/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Personal experiences, as well as experiences from churches, a conference and a union
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/06-what-experiences-lie-ahead-of-us/section.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/06-what-experiences-lie-ahead-of-us/section.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 6: What Experiences Lie Ahead Of Us?"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/07a-the-joy-that-we-give-returns-to-our-own-hearts/07-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/07a-the-joy-that-we-give-returns-to-our-own-hearts/07-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+---
+title: "The Joy that we give returns to our own hearts. (German Proverb) How can I help others to experience “Life in Abundance” (John 10:10)?"
+---
+
+### How To Arouse Interest In A Spirit Filled Life?
+
+What can leaders and churches do? Here are a few possibilities that show what we can do as leaders (e.g. as president, pastor, church or mission secretary, leaders of institutions or other key persons) in collaboration with church boards, churches and groups.
+
+#### Possibilities
+
+**1. Worship groups of two**: Study 40 Days worships as a married couple or with another prayer partner. Start with the first 40 Days book “Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming”, Dennis Smith, Review and Herald, and if appropriate later use the second 40 Days book “Prayers and Devotions to Revive your Experience with God”. _Steps to Personal Revival_ or Abide in Jesus can also be used. When a married couple has worship together, it is very profitable and promotes mutual affection. Naturally, you can also have worship together with someone else. It would be ideal to personally get together, but it can also work over the telephone or Skype or other media. Worship groups of two have the greatest impact. God’s word recommends that we pray in twos (Matt 18:19) and work in twos (Luke 10:1). This mode of worship is the best prerequisite to inspire others to do the same.
+
+**2. Introduce or share literature**. Example:
+
+The booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_ (available free of charge or at low cost in all translated languages).
+
+More than 150 testimonies of readers and hundreds of conversations have shown that this booklet is especially appreciated in the following ways:
+
+- A proper self-assessment in relation to our spiritual status
+- Understand the two simple steps that lead to an attractive spiritual life and the certainty of salvation.
+- Know the great benefi t of a life in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit and what losses we suff er without Him.
+- To become aware that our prayers with promises have a completely different quality. We then pray more joyfully, with confi dence and more depth. And after such a prayer, we can be sure that we have received the Holy Spirit.
+- Their great joy caused them to be witnesses and distributors of thebooks.
+- Their great joy caused them to be witnesses and distributors of the book.
+
+Through the experiences of many we have learned that the use of _Steps to Personal Revival_ together with the 40 Days books 1 and 2 lead to the best results. _Steps to Personal Revival_ opens the eyes and is an excellent help to start immediately. The 40 Days books broaden and help strengthen the spiritual life. Furthermore, they lead to personal morning worship and many answered prayers.
+
+**3. Short readings during the worship service**: Over a period of time selected passages about living with the Holy Spirit can be read during the worship service before the sermon (five to ten minutes). Recommended literature is listed under the next point. After a while, people can be encouraged to form groups of two or to implement the 40 Days concepts (see point 12).
+
+**4. Passages from our literature** that can be printed in the church bulletin or they can be recommended during the announcements:
+
+- The Desire of Ages, ch. 73: “Let your heart not be troubled.”
+- The Acts of the Apostles, ch. 5 “The Gift of the Spirit”
+- Christ’s Object Lessons, ch. 12 “Asking to Give” 129
+- Testimony Treasures vol. 3, “The Promise of the Spirit”, p. 209-215
+- Thoughts from one day from the EGW worship book “Ye Shall Receive Power” (available at your local Adventist Book Center)
+
+**5. Share experiences**: As often as possible share spiritual experiences during the worship service. Personal experiences can be shared or those from other church members or other churches. You can find testimonies on www.steps-to-personal-revival.info Just click on: “Testimonies”.
+
+**6. Four-part seminar as an impulse-Sabbath**: This is probably the most effective method to quickly generate interest in a church. This is a special Sabbath with 3-4 presentations, starting with Friday evening, then during the worship service on Sabbath and again in the afternoon. A potential general topic could be the _Steps to Personal Revival_ program: look at www.steps-to-personal-revival.info:
+
+- Friday evening is the ideal time of the week to share experiences, thus share a very moving experience. If possible, it should be a personal experience from the speaker. Another possibility is to talk about “Surrender to Jesus”. You can find suggestions for this in the booklet Abide in Jesus, chapter 2 “Surrender to Jesus”.
+- It is recommended to preach on the key thoughts from _Steps to Personal Revival_ during the worship service. To be more exact: share 2-3 quotes from the introduction about the lack of the Holy Spirit. Continue with the key thoughts from chapter 1 “What did Jesus teach about the Holy Spirit” and from chapter 2 “What is the center of our problems?” (maybe divide it into two separate hours)
+- During the first afternoon meeting share the key thoughts from chapter 3 “Our problems—can they be solved? How?”
+- During the second afternoon meeting share the key thoughts from chapter 5, “The Key to Practical Experience”.
+
+In churches where the first seminar _Steps to Personal Revival_ has already been held, they can have another impulse-Sabbath or another seminar using the topics from the booklet Abide in Jesus. Again, there could be four segments from the four chapters.
+
+It is profitable in preparation for the impulse-Sabbath to pass out the corresponding literature ahead of time with the recommendation to study it carefully. It has also proven profitable to start a 40 Days Prayer time the weekend after the impulse-Sabbath (see point 12) or with a coordinated reading of one chapter a week from _Steps to Personal Revival_ (see point 7).
+
+**7. Coordinated Reading: One chapter a week**—an easy and helpful possibility is to read one chapter every week or every day (even better if this chapter is read more than once) from _Steps to Personal Revival_ or Abide in Jesus or from one of the 40 Days books. A group or the whole church can agree on a starting date. This can be done either in preparation for a four-part seminar (see point 6) or after this impulseSabbath. Each individual can decide if they want to read alone, with one other person or in a group. On Sabbath it would be good to read the key thoughts from the respective chapter in about 5 minutes and then invite people to share their personal testimonies. If there are no personal testimonies, then a testimony from someone else can be read (prepare ahead of time—see Testimonies). Then announce what chapter will be read during the coming week. You can order the 40 Days books under www.spiritbaptism.org. This book is now divided into 14 parts. Starting on Sabbath the book can be read in two weeks. The content can be studied in depth by reading through the whole book two or three times. This is an intensive method that bares good fruit.
+
+**8. Hold sermons** on living with the Holy Spirit or encourage and request someone else to do it. There are excellent sermons by Dwight Nelson under the heading: “Ground Zero and the New Reformation: How to be baptized with the Holy Spirit”. Sermons starting with 2nd Sept. and his blogs of Aug. 30th and Sept. 13th are at: www.pmchurch.tv/sermons or www.steps-to-personal-revival.info
+
+**9. Hold Bible studies** on living with the Holy Spirit or read them aloud.
+
+**10. Small groups or prayer groups** can read and discuss applicable literature and pray together. In addition, groups of two should be encouraged, who go through the 40 Days worships and then once a week the whole group meets for discussion, sharing experiences and praying together (see point 12).
+
+**11. Mission Sabbath**—Since a life with the Holy Spirit makes us missionaries, it is a good idea, on a permanent basis or for a specific time period, to reinstitute mission Sabbaths. This was a fundamental element of our pioneers. Our forefathers conducted a mission Sabbath the first Sabbath of every month. Either a dedicated person or a small group should assume responsibility for the prayerful preparation and implementation of such a meeting. If this is combined with some of the above-mentioned possibilities, it can contribute to constructive and happy hours on the Sabbath. In addition, it can lead to an awakening of the missionary spirit.
+
+**12. Study and discuss the 40 Days concept**—This concept is presented in the 40 Days books 1, 2 and 3 under the section, “Introduction and Overview”. Subsequently, it can be discussed in the church board, mission board or conference board. This concept can also be presented at pastoral meetings, elders meetings, mission meetings and youth meetings, at retreats, district meetings and mission schools. This concept helps in the following areas:
+
+- Helps to have a more intimate relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
+- Helps strengthen prayer life (alone, in pairs or groups).
+- Helps deepen our personal relationships.
+- Helps to strengthen the spiritual life through the 40 Days worships on the Holy Spirit.
+- Facilitates intercession for lost or unreached people and facilitates contacting them.
+- Helps support evangelism, care groups or Bible studies.
+
+This is achieved in three spiritual steps:
+
+- Personal spiritual revitalization through the 40 Days worships in groups of two.
+- (Discussions based on the book’s “Discussion Questions” and daily prayer for the Holy Spirit according to the “Prayer Focus” sections.
+- Spirit-filled intercession and each person contacts five unreached people or weak church members.
+- Evangelistic activities, eg. presentations/seminars, mission-minded care groups, Bible studies, small or medium-sized expos e.g. health, creation or prophecy expos.
+
+For those doing the organizing, the 40 Days concept (called “Instruction Manual”) is available if you click right here: 40Day-Instructions.pdf. It contains all the necessary steps leading to a fruitful 40 Days experience. The suggested spiritual path is the best preparation for a planned evangelistic series. In this way, leaders and church members are personally spiritually prepared. Through the intercession and each person contacting five unreached individuals, the field is being prepared for the evangelistic series. Different types of evangelism can be used. The 40 Days Books by Dennis Smith can be ordered through www.spiritbaptism.org
+
+**13. Pass out an information-sheet** on the 40 Days prayer program to the church members. In addition, it is recommended to make an invitation for the starting date of the 40 Days series in your church.
+
+**14. Publish suitable articles** in church bulletins, conference bulletins, union bulletins, periodicals, church websites, as well as in church newsletters and newsletters from different church departments.
+
+**15. Survey**: After a presentation on the topic of the Holy Spirit, slips of paper can be passed out for a short anonymous survey:
+
+- If a person often or daily prays for the Holy Spirit, they can put down a checkmark.
+- If an individual prays daily with promises for the Holy Spirit, they can put down two checkmarks.
+
+This is a good way to determine what the current status is in this area.
+
+**Prayerful preparation for and prayer during** all the above-mentioned possibilities is crucial. It is invaluable as praying individuals to ask specific church members, existing prayer circles and even the whole church for specific intercession for specific requests regarding the implementation and impact of the church programme.
+
+### Distinct Words
+
+**Neal C. Wilson: Something is lacking**
+
+I must confess that in spite of progress and victories in so many areas, I have become increasingly persuaded that something is lacking. We are not fully measuring up to God’s glorious expectations for each of us and for his church.“ (Adventist Review, Jan.4 1990, p.2) Neal C. Wilson goes on to point out that he felt what was lacking was the infilling of the Holy Spirit. I agree whole-heartedly with him. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the key to having God finish His work through His people. (Dennis Smith, Spirit Baptism & Evangelism, p. 4) Revival causes mission.
+
+**Revival causes Mission**
+
+I am 36 years old now. Also, I have been the only Adventist in my workplace for the last 5 years. This year I had 5 new positions open in my team. Of the 5 new staff, 2 are Adventists, while another, I soon found out, that we both were baptized in 2000 during Pr. Mark Finley’s campaign conducted here in Port Moresby; however, he is backslidden. This is my work to help this brother, and also others around me, through the influence of the Holy Spirit. Since praying for the Holy Spirit, for the first time I have handed out Steps to Christ booklets to 2 colleagues. I followed up today, and my female colleague has completed and wants to read another book, while my male colleague is yet to complete reading. I have them both on my prayer list also. I thank God for the Holy Spirit, and I don’t want to be a lukewarm Adventist. I am so excited to read and share Jesus with all I come in contact with. I think I may soon change my career as I’m struggling to incorporate my new found love for Jesus in my daily life. (I. M. 090518 #142)
+
+(This experience was written within 6 weeks of living in full surrender und daily praying fort he Spirit)
+
+**We are sharing your books widely 1,500 pieces**
+
+A Message of Encouragement: My wife and I are sharing the _Steps to Personal Revival_ (in English and Spanish) and Abide in Jesus books for free to anyone who requests one through our website. We have been sharing the books for 2 years, and have given away over 1,000 copies _Steps to Personal Revival_ and 500 Abide in Jesus books. Thank you so much for the insights of these books. I think the book, Abide in Jesus is very necessary. Is there a Spanish translation? (AFB EE040619 From USA #88)
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/07a-the-joy-that-we-give-returns-to-our-own-hearts/07-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/07a-the-joy-that-we-give-returns-to-our-own-hearts/07-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. List several possibilities of how interest in a life with the Holy Spirit can be aroused:`
+
+`2. With which people could you get together and pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit?`
+
+`3. What suggestions could you make in your church to encourage interest in the topic of the “Holy Spirit”?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that the Lord fills you with the Holy Spirit today.
+- [ ] that the Lord works a revival in us, our lives and our churches.
+- [ ] that today we are a blessing in word and deed.
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "The Joy that we give returns to our own hearts. (German Proverb) How can I help others to experience “Life in Abundance” (John 10:10)?"
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diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/07b-how-do-we-pass-on-the-message-which-ways-are-there/07-chapter.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/07b-how-do-we-pass-on-the-message-which-ways-are-there/07-chapter.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+---
+title: How do we pass on the message? Which ways are there?
+---
+
+### How To Distribute Revival Literature?
+
+**Goal:**
+
+A brother once said: “This message has to reach every Adventist household around the world. I will do my part,” And he is doing it intensely. A sister wrote: “This booklet should be translated into all main languages, or best, into all.” She won over her conference and is now preaching this topic throughout all of the districts. Furthermore, through God’s guidance she has brought thousands of booklets into a neighboring country that wouldn’t accept the Christian faith previously.
+
+**Development and Finance:**
+
+Through God’s guidance, the booklet _Steps to Personal Revival_ shall be passed on to all Adventist families in their own languages—free of charge or minimal price. With the help of the pastors, numerous conferences and unions have already passed down free copies to the families within their respective districts. Trailblazers were the Swiss-German Conference in Switzerland, the Austrian Union in Austria, and the Baden-Wuerttemberg Conference in Germany. This project developed through God’s distinct initiative. Through God’s influence and by His grace more than 900,000 copies were distributed by 2019. We would like to invite you to pray that the Lord will continue to guide us and provide the necessary means to further the project. We usually request funds from Conferences or Unions with strong financial budgets to cover half of the printing costs. For others, but especially for missions, with God’s help, we would like to finance everything ourselves. But the end-user shall always receive the material free of charge or low cost even in larger quantities.
+
+**A Sound Personal Requirement**
+
+We wish for you to reach others. A sound requirement for sharing is to have been personally blessed by this message and to have Christ live inside your heart by receiving the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Please read in The Desire of Ages, p. 676.2 [egwwritings.org] the precious reference to the word of Jesus in John 15:4: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” This means two things:
+
+- a constant receiving of His Spirit
+- a life of unreserved surrender to His service
+
+Why did Jesus give this hint? “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy [the joy of Jesus is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, Gal 5:22] might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)
+
+### Possibilities To Distribute:
+
+**Prayer**
+
+It is essential that sharing the Gospel with certain people must be prepared through intercessory prayer. Ellen G. White says in Evangelism, p.341.3, “Through much prayer you must labor for souls, for this is the only method by which you can reach hearts.”
+
+**Distributing the booklet:**
+
+You can pass on the booklet by sharing your impressions and experiences with the receivers. These could be friends, leaders and people holding key positions in churches, conferences and unions, printing presses, mission projects, and other institutions. Another valuable opportunity is given during convention meetings at a booth or public distribution with the permission of the organizers. Keep in mind that every Adventist family should receive a copy free or at low cost.
+
+The booklet can also be sent through the mail or through people meeting the receivers personally.
+
+**Distribution through the internet**
+
+A most contemporary way to distribute the message is by email. The message was sent to Australia and from there passed onto Mizoram, India. It also reached Pakistan via Brazil. You can read the message at www.schrittezur-persönlichen-erweckung.info. You can print and/or forward it through a simple link to one or many in all translated languages. You can also make people aware that the website is available in English at www.steps-to-personal-revival.info. By the end of 2019, with God’s guidance and the devoted support of translators, the message will be available in 40 languages, with 10-12 more languages to follow shortly thereafter. Through God’s help, many more will surely follow.
+
+**Distribution through E-books**
+
+A free e-book is available on this website in ‘epub’ and ‘mobi’ formats. You can also order the e-book via Amazon for € 2.00.
+
+**Distribution through Social Networks**
+
+A very effective way to share the contents of this website or a link to the PDF books with friends and acquaintances is through networks like Facebook, Google+, Twitter or WhatsApp. Through sharing and inviting, you can reach your personal contacts, as well as new people in different countries and continents.
+
+**Distribution through Sermons and Seminars**
+
+All pastors and lay preachers have the wonderful opportunity to share this message with the churches through one or numerous sermons. You can do this through your own studies or through using the materials from the booklet. “I have never preached a topic that the church had already heard or read before. Through educational research I know today that it is absolutely essential to read about or hear such an important topic 6-10 times,” (Personal experience and advice of Brother Helmut Haubeil). Now as I know this, I have no problem to preach after the people have already read or heard the topic before. If you want, you can indicate that you are using the main thoughts and quotes from the booklet.
+
+If you don’t preach you can request others to use this topic in their sermons. A Sabbath seminar with the general topic of _Steps to Personal Revival_ should contain at least three topics:
+
+Sermon: **What is at the core of our problems?**
+- Do our problems have a spiritual cause?
+- Do we lack the Holy Spirit?
+- How do I self-diagnose my Spiritual Life?
+- (Source: _Steps to Personal Revival_: Intro, Ch. 1 & 2)
+
+1. Afternoon program: Our problems are solvable—But how?
+- How can we develop a happy/joyful and strong Christian life?
+- How does the Holy Spirit fill our life? The secret word is “daily”.
+- (Source: as above: Ch. 3)
+
+2. Afternoon or evening program: Key points for practical application/ How to apply it practically (The Key to Practical Experience.)
+- How can I practically apply and experience God’s solution in my life?
+- How must I pray for the assurance of the infilling of the Holy Spirit?
+- (Source: as above Ch. 5)
+
+**Personal testimonies**
+
+Personal testimonies about the following topics are very valuable:
+
+- about personal impressions or insight that were gained through the reading material
+- about the results of this message in our lives
+
+**Translation into your own local language**
+
+If the booklet has not been translated into your own local language, maybe you can—through prayer and God’s providence—find a person, who is willing and able to do it. Translators, who were personally touched by the message are of great advantage. So far, most of the translations were done voluntarily, since the translator also had a great interest in the spreading of this message. But sometimes translating does cost, understandably, if the translator has his income from it. Those translators were paid with “brotherly” wages. We apopreciate if you can contact Helmut Haubeil personally with regard to translation matters. He has some good advice to share as he wants to make sure that the booklet is being released in the same format in every language.
+
+### Closing Thoughts
+
+Through the Holy Spirit we have a wonderful leader in all life’s situations and strength according to the riches of His glory.
+
+Thus our characters can be changed and we can become valuable tools in God’s work. Our daily surrender and baptism with the Holy Spirit will lead to a real breakthrough in our lives.
+
+The Lord wants to prepare us for the greatest time in the world’s history. He wants us to be personally ready for His coming and that in the power of the Holy Spirit we can work together to comple the work of the gospel. He wants to lead us victoriously through these difficult times.
+
+Let God give you personal revival and reformation through daily surrender and a daily baptism with the Holy Spirit.
+
+I want to close with a Bible text and a prayer for revival:
+
+“If my people ... will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chr 7:14 NKJV)
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> Prayer: Father in heaven, please give us humility (Micah 6:8). Put in our hearts a great desire to pray and seek Your face. Make us willing and help us to turn from our wicked ways. Please fulfill the prerequisites in us and as a result of Your promise let us hear Your answer. Forgive us for our sins and heal us from our lukewarmness and apostasy. Please help us to surrender ourselves to Jesus daily and by faith receive the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+
+**“A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer.” <sup>144</sup> “The baptism of the Holy Spirit as on the day of Pentecost will lead to a revival of true religion and to the performance of many wonderful works.” <sup>145</sup>**
+
+**Footnotes:**
+
+<sup>144</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1 (1958), p. 121.1
+
+<sup>145</sup> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 2 (1958), p. 57.1
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@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+title: Personal Thoughts and Discussion Guide
+---
+
+`1. Which of the options mentioned in this section appeal to you the most?`
+
+`2. What concerns have become important to you after reading this booklet?`
+
+`3. What specifically do you want to achieve in the next few weeks?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner ...**
+
+- [ ] that the Lord will continue to fill you with the Holy Spirit.
+- [ ] that we will recognize how we can proceed.
+- [ ] that God will lead us to be His witnesses.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/07b-how-do-we-pass-on-the-message-which-ways-are-there/info.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/07b-how-do-we-pass-on-the-message-which-ways-are-there/info.yml
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--- /dev/null
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: How do we pass on the message? Which ways are there?
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/section.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/section.yml
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+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/07-interest-and-sharing/section.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Chapter 7: Interest And Sharing"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/08-appendix.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/08-appendix.md
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+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/08-appendix.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+---
+title: Recommendation For Further Study
+---
+
+### Recommendation For Further Study
+
+An important suggestion: read this booklet, if possible, every day for six days. Educational research has shown that it is necessary that such a vital topic for our life has to be read or heard six to ten times before a person can thoroughly understand it. Give it a try. The results will convince you.
+
+A teacher tried it out: “These encouraging words captivated me: ‘Try it at least once. The result will convince you.’ I wanted to experience this and by the third reading it gripped me and I felt a great love for our Redeemer, which I had yearned for my whole life. Within two months I read the booklet six times and the result was worth it. It was as if I could understand what it was like when Jesus comes close to us and we can look into His pure, kind and loving eyes. From then on I never wanted to go without this joy for my Savior again.” C. P.
+
+I have received many thankful and enthusiastic testimonies about their new life with the Holy Spirit. Almost all of them were from readers, who intensively re-read the booklet multiple times.
+
+### 40 Days Instruction Manual
+
+You can find helpful material for organizing 40 Days of prayer with an evangelistic series afterwards using the 40 Days book by Dennis Smith on the website: www.SpiritBaptism.org under 40 Days Instruction Manual.
+
+### New Experiences With Living With The Holy Spirit
+
+Our Lord Jesus said: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me ...” (Acts 1:8 NKJV)
+
+A special request: When you have experiences with living with the Holy Spirit in your personal life or when witnessing, then we would really appreciate it if you could send a short report to Helmut Haubeil so that he can share it in the Missionsbrief (a small newsletter in German on mission work). Please tell us if you only want your initials after the report or if we can share your full name and what church you attend. Please remember that your experience will strengthen others to grow in their walk with the Holy Spirit or to begin a journey with the Holy Spirit.
+
+**Contact**: Helmut Haubeil (Address: Cover)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/08-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/08-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/08-personal-thoughts-and-discussion-guide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+---
+title: Recommendation For Further Study, Contacts
+---
+
+`1. The recommendation to re-read this booklet 6-10 times has proved to be a good way to bring a life with the Holy Spirit into your heart. A sister kept a diary of what took place during the first 6 weeks of her experience. She was so delighted that she wrote a long letter. What plans do you have for your future course of action?`
+
+The 40 Days concept is the best spiritual and evangelistic concept that I have come across in my 50 years as a pastor. You can read about it in the introduction of any 40 Day book. Whoever wants the complete plan can download it for free at https://www.missionsbrief.de/40-tage-konzept.html (in English or German).
+
+- 40 Days studies can be done either personally or as a pair and can also be done by telephone or Skype. During this time, you can for example study _Steps to Personal Revival_ three times or continue on with Abide in Jesus or use any of the 40 Day books from Dennis Smith.
+- During this time also pray daily for five unreached people and establish a contact with them.
+- A “visitor Sabbath” at church follows the 40 Days.
+- A week later Bible studies, home study groups, seminars or lectures start.
+
+`2. Do you want to get to know this concept better?`
+
+`3. What do others say about the Holy Spirit? How often is our request for the Holy Spirit important?`
+
+### Our Prayer Time
+
+Contact your prayer partner and discuss the topic.
+
+**Pray with your prayer partner...**
+
+- [ ] that we will continue to daily pray for and receive the Holy Spirit.
+
+- [ ] and thank the Lord for His future guidance in our spiritual life..
+
+- [ ] that we will make the right decisions for our future course of action.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/info.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/info.yml
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/08-appendix/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Appendix
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/section.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/section.yml
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/08-appendix/section.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+title: Appendix
+isRoot: true
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/info.yml b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/info.yml
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+title: Steps to Personal Revival
+kind: book
+subtitle: Being filled with the Holy Spirit–How do you experience this?
+primaryColor: '#B16632'
+primaryColorDark: '#8A4312'
+credits:
+  - name: Author
+    value: Helmut Haubeil
+  - name: ISBN
+    value: 978-3-903002-14-2
+covers:
+  landscape: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/assets/cover-landscape.png
+  square: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/assets/cover-square.png
+  portrait: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/assets/cover.png
+  splash: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/devo/steps-to-personal-revival/assets/splash.png
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/00-introduction/00-note-from-editors/00-note-from-editors.md b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/00-introduction/00-note-from-editors/00-note-from-editors.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+---
+title: Note from the Editors
+---
+
+Dear Reader,
+
+Addressing low church member retention is long overdue. Very often this issue has been brought up to the General Conference Executive Committee meeting by the Secretariat and the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research (ASTR). One of the initiatives of the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-day Adventists to address this matter is to hold Nurture and Retention (N&R) global summits. The first one met November 18–20, 2013, at the Adventist Church World Headquarters under the title “Discipling, Retaining & Reclaiming.” It was organized by the GC N&R Committee and ASTR. Division N&R coordinators, church leaders, departmental directors, and Adventist researchers discussed retention challenges, shared research data and division reports, and brainstormed recommendations to the world Church _(see Appendix 1)_.
+
+In April 5–7, 2019, a second N&R summit was held. This time the N&R committee proposed to cover three important related areas: Discipling, Nurturing, and Reclaiming. Summit presenters focused on these themes, trying to suggest practical solutions to existing problems. The summit recommendations, approved by the 2019 Annual Council, can be found in Appendix 2. Presentations from both summits were posted on the ASTR website at https://www.adventistresearch.org/research-conferences) and are expected to be a helpful tool for all who are involved in the work of discipling, nurturing, and reclaiming church members.
+
+The primary purpose of this publication is to preserve and disseminate the content of the seminars/workshops offered during the 2019 N&R summit. The secondary, and probably most important, long-term goal is to keep the conversation running and to continue to share and develop best practices to be more effective and efficient in God’s mission.
+
+A special note of gratitude to Dr. G. T. Ng, General Conference Executive Secretary, always pushing us to the edge of creativity and innovation to deal with hot issues as we pursue effectiveness in mission. In his foreword, Dr. Ng highlights the importance of having a balance approach to evangelism and discipleship, “winning and keeping must go hand in hand... there is no question that mission must march on unabated. Discipleship and nurture must follow baptism.”
+
+Another note of appreciation to Elder G. Mbwana, General Vice President, for his leadership and insights as chair of the GC N&R Committee. In his introduction, Elder Mbwana stressed our need “to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in making disciples for Christ.”
+
+The content of this volume is organized following the team of presenters at the 2019 summit. Even though there are no specific sections in the book, the articles were organized following three main areas. First, we presented the articles about membership, discipleship, and mission. Second are the articles regarding Adventist families, Christian education, and young people. Lastly, there are the articles analyzing how to build healthy relationships in the church, how to connect with new members and reclaim former members.
+
+At the end of the book, in Appendices, you will find recommendations from both the 2013 and 2019 N&R summits and a sample survey for the local church for self-assessment of the implementation of the 2019 summit recommendations.
+
+We believe these topics will give you enough insight about the need to develop more efficient ways to attract and equip new members, as well as sending them to fulfill God’s work to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19, NIV).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/00-introduction/00-note-from-editors/info.yml b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/00-introduction/00-note-from-editors/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Note from the Editors
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/00-introduction/01-foreword/01-foreword.md b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/00-introduction/01-foreword/01-foreword.md
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+---
+title: Foreword
+---
+
+### Lose None and Disciple All
+
+_G. T. NG, Ph.D._
+
+This book is a collection of papers about nurture, retention, reclamation, discipleship, and mission. Volumes could be written about each of these topics. But the genius of the book is in treating these vital subjects wholistically and weaving them into a composite picture of disciple-making that is at the very heart of Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20. This book is the work of the General Conference Nurture and Retention Committee under the leadership of Geoffrey Mbwana as the chair and Gerson Santos as the secretary. The committee has worked tirelessly and heroically, highlighting nurture and retention as an intrinsic part of the mission of the church.
+
+#### Apostasy
+
+Research conducted by the General Conference Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research (ASTR) has revealed a disturbing trend of membership loss through the years.
+
+Since 1965, 40,421,554 people have been members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Of those, 16,240,069 have chosen to leave. Our net loss rate is 40 percent. In other words, four of every 10 church members have left the church.
+
+Nobody likes bad news. We would rather not know or talk about it. Bearers of evil tidings are sometimes branded as killjoys. But the bad news of huge membership loss is not just about statistics. It is about lives God has created and redeemed.
+
+#### Engine Noise
+
+A huge Boeing 777 was thundering down the runway picking up speed and ready to take off. Suddenly the pilot aborted the takeoff, turned the plane around, and returned to the gate. After a two-hour delay the plane finally took off.
+
+A worried passenger asked the flight attendant, “What was the delay all about? Was there a problem?”
+
+The flight attendant explained, “The pilot was bothered by a noise he heard in the engine, so he returned to the gate.”
+
+“Did they manage to find the problem with the engine?”
+
+“No, they never did. But it took them two hours to find a new pilot.” What do you do when you have an engine problem? Fix the engine or change the pilot?
+
+#### Response
+
+How should the church respond to the crisis of apostasy?
+
+The logical and responsible response should be to take the bull by the horns and find ways to rectify the problem. Unfortunately, we either bury our heads in the sand, refusing to deal with the problem (ostrich syndrome), wash our hands and go on with business as usual (Pilate syndrome), or delay confronting the problem until a more convenient time (Felix syndrome).
+
+Turning a blind eye to huge perennial membership losses is biblically indefensible, ethically irresponsible, morally inexcusable, and spiritually untenable. But when we start taking responsibility as a church, we follow the same passion of Jesus in looking for lost souls.
+
+#### Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Son
+
+Luke 15 records a string of three parables told by Jesus: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. All three parables paint a poignant picture of the imperative and urgent searching for the lost. The parable of the lost sheep is especially riveting. The shepherd is courageous. He looks for the lost sheep at great risk to himself. No mountain is too steep to climb, no valley is too deep to explore, and no precipice is too dangerous to survey. He leaves no stone unturned. He is focused. He has 99 sheep, but he concentrates on that one straying sheep that needs help. It is a do-or-die situation. The shepherd is relentless. He is doggedly determined to find that one sheep. Nothing else matters. The shepherd is tenacious. The search has been arduous, but retreat is not an option. He is unstoppable, indomitable, and invincible because to him the lost sheep is priceless. He goes “after the one which is lost until he finds it” (Luke 15:4, NKJV).
+
+The Good Shepherd is none other than Christ Himself looking for lost humanity. Ellen White writes:
+
+“These souls whom you despise, said Jesus, are the property of God. By creation and by redemption they are His, and they are of value in His sight. As the shepherd loves his sheep, and cannot rest if even one be missing, so, in an infinitely higher degree, does God love every outcast soul. Men may deny the claim of His love, they may wander from Him, they may choose another master; yet they are God’s, and He longs to recover His own. He says, ‘As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.’ Ezekiel 34:12 .”<sup>1</sup>
+
+“Angels pity these wandering ones. Angels weep, while human eyes are dry and hearts are closed to pity.”<sup>2</sup>
+
+What have we learned from the parable of the lost sheep? First, every lost individual is significant and must be accounted for. Like the Good Shepherd, we must spare no effort to redeem the lost. Second, behind every loss is a person and not just a number, a person whom Christ has died for and redeemed. Statistics can mask the sanctity of human life; each one must be treated as a person, not as a statistic.
+
+#### Missiological Black Hole
+
+Beyond the statistics of the appalling loss rate of 40 percent lies an enigma that has persisted for years. How has this happened? What has accounted for this tragic and unnecessary attrition? What are the factors that could have possibly precipitated membership hemorrhage on such a staggering scale? No simple answer can adequately explain the phenomenon. But there are some clues about what may have contributed to the colossal missiological black hole.
+
+**Hasty Harvest**
+
+Too often individuals are baptized before they are ready. They have at best only a rudimentary knowledge of the Adventist faith. They have not been properly grounded in the faith. They eventually wither away because they have no root (Matthew 13:6). Others come to the church with intellectual or doctrinal knowledge, but their hearts have not been changed, because Christ’s method<sup>3</sup> of ministry has been ignored or neglected.
+
+**Postbaptismal Care**
+
+Sometimes public meetings are hit-and-run events. In the exhilaration of altar calls, people are baptized with little preparation. When meetings are over and candidates have been baptized, what then? Without follow-up plans, the newly baptized are left to teeter and wobble, especially those in mass baptisms where individuals are not always taken into account. Whose obligation is it for postbaptismal care? Some say it is the evangelist’s responsibility. Others argue it is the obligation of the church pastor. While arguments ensue, more newly baptized members languish and spiritually die.
+
+**The Great Commission**
+
+Matthew’s version of the Great Commission is considered the most comprehensive of the accounts in the Synoptic Gospels. There is only one grammatical imperative in Matthew 28:18–20, and that is “make disciples.” The goal of the Great Commission is to make disciples. This is clearly spelled out in the mission statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church:
+
+“Make disciples of Jesus Christ who live as His loving witnesses and proclaim to all people the everlasting gospel of the Three Angels’ Messages in preparation for His soon return (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Revelation 14:6 –12).”
+
+The commission is not only to go, baptize, or teach, but also and specially to make disciples. Going, baptizing, and teaching are tools to achieve the ultimate goal of making disciples. The commission is not to baptize; it is to baptize to make disciples. Baptism is absolutely vital in the process of making disciples. But baptism is not the end goal of the commission. Rather, it is a means to an that end. Discipling is a process. Nurturing and discipling begin before a person is baptized, and continue after baptism.
+
+The role of the pastor is especially critical in the process of discipleship. According to the commission, teaching is also a postbaptismal activity. Newly baptized believers must be nurtured and taught to become disciples. Pastors must double up as teachers and educators. The Spirit of Prophecy has never been more unequivocal:
+
+“Christ intends that His ministers shall be educators of the church in gospel work. They are to teach the people how to seek and save the lost.” <sup>4</sup> “Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching. Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they have received.”<sup>5</sup>
+
+The Lord of the Great Commission, in the final analysis, is interested in disciples, not simply baptism. Praise God that embedded in the commission is the perfect formula for nurture and retention! Evangelism and nurture are not mutually exclusive. Winning and keeping must go hand in hand.
+
+Does disciple-making ever come to an end? To answer that question, we must first ask another question: “What is the fruit of an apple tree?” The fruit, or legacy, of an apple tree is another apple tree! Apples don’t produce apples, but apple trees do. One author describes it this way:
+
+“When the evangelized becomes the evangelizer, the work of disciple-making has been accomplished.” Newly baptized members must be taught and trained until they become fruit-bearing Adventists capable of reproducing themselves.
+
+I once attended a highly inspirational convention in Mexico where a local conference celebrated the success of small-group ministry in a stadium. Local churches came with hundreds of exuberant small groups bringing with them the fruits of their labor—individuals who were ready for baptism. After the baptism service was over, I noticed each newly baptized person was given a Bible, a baptismal certificate, and a sash. My curiosity was piqued about the sash being placed on the shoulder of each person. “What does the sash say?” I asked my translator.
+
+He replied, “The sash says ‘Today I have been born as a missionary.’”
+
+The statement was almost a direct quote from Ellen White: “Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary.”<sup>6</sup> Indeed, baptism marks the beginning of one’s missionary career. The journey of discipleship has just begun.
+
+**The Numbers Game**
+
+Unfortunately, the imperative of discipling souls is too often debased into baptism numbers. Individuals get caught up in a numbers game whereby success is measured by baptisms, to the exclusion of other equally important gauges.
+
+Numbers typically signify status, recognition, and sometimes promotion. The numbers game is both competitive and addictive. Unfortunately, baptism has been held up as a reward system.
+
+All organizations are under pressure to maintain performance. Having reasonable pressure is a good motivation for better results. But undue fixation with numbers tends to impair judgment and compromise integrity, and it is the beginning of a slippery slope to “ethical collapse,” claims author Marianne M. Jennings. She writes:
+
+“In this first sign of a culture at risk for ethical collapse, there is not just a focus on numbers and results, but an unreasonable and unrealistic obsession with meeting quantitative goals.” <sup>7</sup>
+
+Who is guilty of such ethical collapse? Both for-profit and nonprofit organizations are just as liable, according to Jennings. God forbid that we should play the numbers game as a religious organization. The numbers game is not about numbers. It is about people—souls that have been lost twice!
+
+Baptism is absolutely critical as the basis of disciple-making. Baptism, however, is only the beginning of the process of discipleship. It was never meant to be a means to an end.
+
+Perhaps it is time to tweak our monthly report. Pastors who nurture and equip the newly baptized have no way to report that. Since nurture and disciple training are not generally reportable, there is little incentive to train new believers. Pastors in their many pressing duties find it easier to concentrate on winning souls rather than discipling, educating, and training. If the reporting system is rewarding the wrong things, a change of the reporting system is in order. Even more is needed—a change of focus. Get out of the numbers game and embark on the biblical model of disciple-making that is embodied in the mission statement of the church.
+
+#### The Way Forward
+
+So far statistics have not been in our favor, but thankfully much can be done to remedy the unfortunate loss of members from our ranks.
+
+Scientists have developed elaborate systems for tracking dolphins and snow leopards. What about church members, who are indefinitely more valuable than animals?
+
+The Iglesia ni Cristo religion based in the Philippines has an ingenious member tracking system. This is an indigenous church with a membership of about 3 million. Each church building has a uniform architecture. Situated in the foyer near the front entrance is a large board with the members’ names written on discs. When worshippers attend church, they look for their name. Once their names are identified, they turn the discs inside out, signifying their presence in church. After worship is over, deacons jot down the names of absentees and visit them on the same afternoon. Such a membership care system is very rare.
+
+The South American Division has an innovative tracking system through the office of local church clerks in conjunction with elders, pastors, and members. Aside from their regular duties, church clerks double up as member-care coordinators and are members of the membership audit committee. Working through Sabbath School units and small-group ministry, the committee tracks members’ attendance, visits missing members, and nurtures and retains members who may have become discouraged. The committee even organizes a special annual “homecoming” event to welcome back former believers. Such an intentional approach in member-care has been most heartening.
+
+Samuel Johnson has been credited to have said, “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” Perhaps we need to be reminded as a church that we are our brothers’ keepers (Genesis 4:9). In the United States from the late 1960s through the late 1980s, there was this public service announcement on every radio and television: “It’s 11:00. Do you know where your children are?” The announcement was a simple message to parents to keep their children off the streets. Perhaps we need a similar remind every Sabbath, “It’s 11:00 a.m. Do you know where your members are?”
+
+Desmond Thomas Doss (1919–2006) was well known as an American war hero. He enlisted voluntarily in the Army as a combat medic in 1942 during World War II. Being a faithful Seventh-day Adventist, he refused to kill an enemy soldier or carry a weapon into combat. He was the first U.S. conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor, which was presented by President Harry Truman.
+
+Doss was noted for his audacious bravery in saving the lives of wounded soldiers. In 1945 a fierce battle was waging at Hacksaw Ridge, on the island of Okinawa, Japan. The terrain was treacherous, and the plateau was defended by a large force of heavily armed Japanese soldiers. Thousands of American and Japanese soldiers perished. While gunfire and explosions were raging around him, Doss crawled on the ground from wounded soldier to wounded soldier and dragged them one by one to the edge of the ridge, tied a rope around their bodies, and lowered them down to other medics below. Desmond Doss is credited with saving 75 soldiers during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. He was reported to have said, “I was praying the whole time. I just kept praying, ‘Lord, please help me save one more.’”
+
+As we think of the heavy losses among those who have been baptized, may our prayer be, “Lord, please help me save one more!” There is nothing more precious to Jesus than souls He has redeemed. They are not mere numbers. They are “peculiar treasures.”<sup>8</sup> “Lord, let me save one more, be they lost Gentiles or lost Adventists!”
+
+Yes, the leaky bucket should be fixed, because every newborn member deserves to live!
+
+Winning and keeping must go hand in hand. Winning and keeping are not mutually exclusive. They are two sides of the same coin.
+
+There is no question that mission must march on unabated. Discipleship and nurture must follow baptism. Mission without nurture is incomplete and irresponsible. May our motto be “Lose None and Disciple All.”
+
+_April 2020_
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _Christ’s Object Lessons_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1900, 1941), p. 187.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ibid., p. 192.
+
+<sup>3</sup> “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’” (Ellen G. White, _The Ministry of Healing_ [Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905], p. 143).
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Desire of Ages_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898, 1940), p. 825.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Ellen G. White, _Testimonies for the Church_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 7, p. 20.
+
+<sup>6</sup> E. G. White, _The Desire of Ages_, p. 195.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Marianne M. Jennings, _The Seven Signs of Ethical Collapse_ (New York: Martin’s Press,
+
+2006), p. 17.
+
+<sup>8</sup> “What compassion, what matchless love, has God shown to us, lost sinners, in connecting us with Himself, to be to Him a peculiar treasure!” (Ellen G. White, _Patriarchs and Prophets_ [Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1890, 1908], p. 289).
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+---
+title: Introduction
+---
+
+_Geoffrey Mbwana_
+
+More than 2,000 years ago Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32, NIV). We are witnesses to the fulfillment of this reality as thousands of people are choosing to follow Jesus, accepting the three angels’ messages. God has appointed us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in making disciples for Christ. It is a noble responsibility that warrants us taking time to pray and study on how best we can efficiently carry our role.
+
+The making of disciples involves soul winning, nurture, retention, and reclamation. As a body, disciples of Jesus are the church of God. God owns the church by creation and redemption; it is holy; He loves it and cares for it like “the apple of His eye.” God challenges the shepherds of God’s church, whom God has appointed, to take loving care of his church (Jeremiah 3:15; 23:4; Ezekiel 34:23). In his letter to Ephesian elders the apostle Paul urged them to “keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (Acts 20:28, NIV). Being our brothers’ keepers, we believe that someday we will be confronted with a question from the owner of the flock—where is that beautiful flock?
+
+The General Conference (GC) Nurture and Retention Committee organized a discipleship summit for GC officers, division officers, and GC departmental directors. Presenters were invited from around the world to make presentations and share experiences on disciplemaking. The summit was of great benefit to church leaders who attended. This book is a compilation of the presentations that were made during the summit.
+
+We are very thankful to the various individuals who took time to prepare and make presentations on discipleship and its various elements.
+
+We value the precious time they took to prepare and make available manuscripts of their presentations, which are now being presented as a book for wider circulation and use.
+
+We are very grateful to the leadership of the General Conference, world divisions, and GC departmental directors for their participation in the summit. The global leadership of the church has given great importance to this subject. We believe every church leader and church member will find these presentations useful as we carry the mandate of Jesus Christ in its totality.
+
+May God bless you abundantly as you read these presentations. May your disciple-making endeavor grow to be even stronger as you joyfully participate in carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ.
+
+It is our hope that through these summits we will see increased interest, focus, and engagement in disciple-making in the church globally. Together we desire to see every soul that accepts Jesus become a true disciple of Christ. May God bless you.
+
+**_On behalf of the GC Nurture and Retention Committee_**
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+---
+title: "New Member Discipleship: Disciple-Making Principles and the Discipleship Handbook"
+markdownTitle: "New Member Discipleship: Disciple-Making Principles and the _Discipleship Handbook_"
+---
+
+_James Howard_
+
+The mission of the church is “Go . . . and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).<sup>1</sup> We cannot afford to make anything less. Many churches have mistakenly assumed that baptizing new converts is equivalent to bringing them safely into the fold. Yet the startling number of members who have left the church over the past 50 years tells a different story. The truth is that baptism is only one of many steps toward becoming a mature disciple of Christ. And it is this, becoming a mature disciple, that is needed to help members grow stronger and keep them faithful to Christ.
+
+So what is needed in order to fulfill the commission to make disciples, and not mere members? This article will begin by establishing principles that are important to remember when making disciples. It will then explain how these principles can be applied in an intentional and systematic new member discipleship plan using such tools as the _Discipleship Handbook_. The first principle is that the **_process_** of discipleship is the growth cycle. Second, the **_instruments_** of discipleship are people. Third, the **_goal_** of discipleship is Christlikeness. And last, the **_power_** of discipleship is from God.
+
+### The Process of Discipleship
+
+When Jesus described the evangelistic mission of the church, He often used the analogy of the agricultural growth cycle to describe the growth of the kingdom of God: “A sower went out to sow” (Luke 8:5). “The fields . . . are already white for harvest” (John 4:35). “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37).
+
+The farmer must **_prepare_** the soil, **_plant_** the seed, **_cultivate_** the growing plants, **_harvest_** the crop, **_preserve_** the harvest, and then repeat the cycle using the seed reaped in the previous harvest. Similarly, the gospel sower must prepare the soil of the heart with friendship and service, plant the seed of God’s Word with literature or spiritual conversations, cultivate spiritual interest with ongoing Bible studies, harvest decisions for Christ with personal and public appeals, and preserve the harvest of souls with a systematic and intentional discipleship plan for new members _(see figure)_.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![The GROW Model. Learn more at https://grow.adventist.org. The top icon represents the first step of preparing the soil of the heart. Continuing clockwise, the second icon represents planting the seed of truth, the third icon represents cultivating spiritual interest, the fourth icon represents harvesting decisions for Christ, and the fifth icon represents preserving the harvest with ongoing discipleship. The continuous circle represents the cyclical and multiplying nature of discipleship.](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-01-new-member-discipleship-disciple-making-principles-and-the-discipleship-handbook/image.png)
+
+The key principle taught by Jesus in His agricultural analogy is that making disciples is a **_process_**, not an event. Far too often we describe the mission of the church in narrow terms. We consider evangelistic outreach to be isolated from nurture, and we view numerical growth as separate from spiritual growth. Yet we discover that discipleship, when properly understood, is a process that includes both! Notice the following statements by Ellen White: “When souls are converted, set them to work at once. And as they labor according to their ability, they will grow stronger.”<sup>1</sup> “The more one tries to explain the Word of God to others, with a love for souls, the plainer it becomes to himself.”<sup>2</sup> “Let ministers teach church members that in order to grow in spirituality, they must carry the burden that the Lord has laid upon them—the burden of leading souls into the truth.”<sup>3</sup> “Those who are most actively employed in doing with interested fidelity their work to win souls to Jesus Christ are the best developed in spirituality and devotion.”<sup>4</sup>
+
+From these inspired statements we discover a beautiful synergy between evangelistic labor and personal spiritual growth. It is by laboring for souls that we grow spiritually ourselves. Outreach and nurture are two sides of the same coin. Whether we call that coin evangelism, discipleship, or soul winning, a true and comprehensive definition will include every phase of disciple-making. It will include ministering to people’s needs, introducing them to Bible truth, engaging in ongoing Bible studies, leading them to follow Christ and be baptized, and then nurturing and training them as they grow into well-rounded and active disciples of Christ.
+
+We have only one mission. It is both the best strategy for church growth and, at the same time, the best strategy for the nurture and retention of our members. Discipleship is one continuous process that begins before baptism, continues after baptism, and leads the disciple to become more like Jesus and to carry on His mission of winning souls. The process of discipleship is the growth cycle taught by Jesus.
+
+### The Instruments of Discipleship
+
+When Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19), He was talking to His disciples. While it is true that books, classes, and sermons may be helpful in the discipleship process, we must always keep in view that it is **_people who make disciples_**. True discipleship requires relationships, time, and a living example. The reason Jesus was so effective at making disciples was that He understood this principle and therefore invested significant time and energy in developing the Twelve. They learned to pray by watching Jesus pray. They learned to depend upon the Scriptures when they saw how Jesus depended on the Scriptures. They learned how to sacrifice and deny themselves by how Jesus denied Himself. They learned how to minister to others’ needs and teach the gospel by watching the Master Healer and Teacher.
+
+Paul also understood this principle. He wrote to the young minister Timothy: “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Christ and certain representatives of the church taught Paul, Paul taught Timothy, Timothy was to teach faithful men, and these faithful men were to teach others also. That’s four generations of discipleship in one verse!
+
+The important takeaway from this discipleship principle is that we can’t simply hold a class or give someone a book and call this discipleship. New members learn how to be disciples by spending time with Jesus, but they also learn from the example of more experienced church members who are willing to invest time in them. For this reason both Paul and Peter emphasize the importance of being a godly example (see 1 Peter 5:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7). Ellen White concurs, stating that “one example is worth more than many precepts.”<sup>5</sup>
+
+Since the primary instruments of discipleship are people, the quality of the new disciples we make will to a great degree be dependent upon the quality of the disciple-makers! For this reason the first step for church leaders in establishing a new member discipleship plan should be to prepare and train godly mentors.
+
+### The Goal of Discipleship
+
+Jesus explained the ultimate goal of discipleship when He declared, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). The goal of discipleship is to be like Jesus—_**Christlikeness**_ in character and behavior. Jesus had a lot to say about what it meant to be a disciple, but in every case He was simply calling on His followers to be like Him.
+
+A few of Jesus’ statements are sufficient in order to grasp the primary aspects of this goal of Christlikeness in His followers: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17).
+
+Jesus explained that those who follow Him were to become loving, self-denying, soul winners—just like Him. This is a high calling indeed. It is also a compelling reason we can’t afford to cease our labors for new converts immediately after they are baptized. Does a newly baptized member understand how to be a loving, self-denying, soul winner—a disciple who makes other disciples? We are not truly fulfilling the mission unless we are leading our new members to be not merely consumers, but producers. We must encourage and help them to become loving, obedient, active fishers of men and women.
+
+Jesus instructed His disciples to not only baptize new believers, but to continue “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Discipleship includes practical instruction in Christ’s way of living. This begins with His habit of communion with God in prayer, His study and dependence on Scripture, His bold witness to the truth, and His loving ministry to the needs of humanity. It also includes many other practical areas of biblical instruction, such as baptism, Sabbathkeeping, reverence, stewardship, health, modesty, marriage, and family.
+
+It should also be noted that discipleship in the last days will reflect the unique message of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as the remnant church of Bible prophecy. This message, entrusted by God to His people and firmly established in the Bible, is the foundation of faith and practice for end-time disciples. With a wealth of guidance through the Bible and the prophetic counsel of Ellen White, our Lord Jesus Christ desires that His disciples in the last days will follow in His footsteps and reflect His image.
+
+### The Power of Discipleship
+
+While it is true that people are the primary instruments in making disciples, it must always be remembered that the power required for true discipleship comes from God. No matter how much we love people, build friendships, establish confidence, provide godly examples, or show sympathy, none of these has power to convert or transform the soul. We must connect people to Christ and His Word. It is through the foundational spiritual habits of prayer, Bible study, and witnessing that the Christian beholds and experiences divine power.
+
+When surveys are taken of those who have left the church, reasons such as conflicts, hypocrisy, lack of love and care, or offensive attitudes are often cited to explain why they left. While we must take these seriously, we should also not fail to discern and address the more fundamental reasons that are rarely recognized or expressed. More often than not, the reason new members leave the church is that they failed to establish or continue in spiritual habits that would have given life and power to their spiritual walk with God. Without these spiritual habits, they become easily discouraged, distracted, tempted, or offended.
+
+Ellen White writes of the spiritual habit of prayer: “Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted and the health of the soul be preserved. . . . Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God.”<sup>6</sup> Rarely will someone who leaves the church state that the reason they left is that they stopped praying regularly. They may not even recognize this. Nevertheless, the neglect of this habit causes many to lose their hold on God. This is the hidden but true reason we lose many members out the back door.
+
+Another essential spiritual habit is spending regular time in the Bible. Jesus boldly declared, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. . . . The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:53-63). It is often the case that new members come to a Bible study or evangelistic meeting and are convicted and compelled by the inspiring biblical preaching and teaching. However, when the meetings are over and after they are baptized, they gradually lose their inspiration. What happened? They had been genuinely changed by the Word being taught to them in the meetings, but they never learned how to regularly feed _**themselves**_. New members must be taught that unless they consistently read the Word, they will not be able to maintain a spiritual life. The Bible is not like other books. It is not merely informational, but transformational. It is through the living and powerful Word of God that we are converted, or born again, and the same Word is needed for power to live a victorious Christian life (see Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23; Matthew 4:4). For this reason Ellen White warns, “Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures will be overcome by his attacks.”<sup>7</sup>
+
+Because of the creative power in God’s Word, we should make its study foundational to any discipleship plan for new members. This plan should include five different levels of Bible study: (1) encourage the spiritual habit of personal daily Bible reading, (2) give Bible studies to share the full Adventist message for the first time, (3) give baptismal preparation studies to ensure readiness for baptism, (4) give discipleship studies after baptism to integrate new members into the life and mission of the church, and (5) review our message with more in-depth Bible studies that prepare new members to give Bible studies to others. By saturating the discipleship process in the Word of God, divine power will be imparted to the new disciples. For the five levels of Bible study listed above, the General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department has developed resources to aid churches in their discipleship training. To encourage daily Bible reading, the _Discipleship Handbook_ contains a daily Bible and Spirit of Prophecy reading plan. The resource _Fundamentals of Faith_ is specifically designed for use in baptismal preparation studies. The main portion of the _Discipleship Handbook_, which will be discussed later in this article in greater detail, can be used for discipleship studies after baptism. And the _Bible Study Handbook_ can be used to prepare and train members to give Bible studies to others.<sup>8</sup>
+
+Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus told His disciples, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). When we share the gospel of Christ with others, we join God in His work and experience His power. While the power of prayer and Bible study is familiar to most Christians, the power of God experienced through witnessing is far less common. Even so, nothing solidifies new disciples in their faith like sharing God’s Word with others. When we engage in this vital work, the power of the Holy Spirit strengthens our convictions, increases our faith, grows our knowledge, and expands our love for souls.
+
+In the great mission of making disciples, we must always remember that our job is not merely to connect with people, but to connect people to Christ: “If we can awaken an interest in men’s minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, we may step aside, and ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God.”<sup>9</sup> Jesus is the Master, and we are all His disciples. All power resides in Christ and His Word. In order for us to make disciples and retain them in the church, a discipleship plan must focus on developing in new members the foundational “power” habits of prayer, Bible study, and witnessing.
+
+### New Member Discipleship and the _Discipleship Handbook_
+
+When we understand that the discipleship process follows the growth cycle, that the primary instruments of discipleship are people, that the goal of discipleship is Christlikeness, and that the power of discipleship comes from God, we are ready to establish a new member discipleship plan that will improve both member involvement and retention rates. The General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department has developed the _Discipleship Handbook_, which may be used as the foundation of a new member discipleship plan in any local church. The remainder of this article will use the _Discipleship Handbook_ to show how a local church can apply the principles of discipleship in a practical way to disciple new members.
+
+But first, why would we want to use a book for new member discipleship if true discipleship is based on relationships more than books, classes, or programs? While it is true that books don’t make disciples, they do equip disciple-makers! Ellen White had these wise words to say regarding the thinking of many church members: “Many would be willing to work if they were taught how to begin.”<sup>10</sup> There are a few important things to remember about the practical application of making disciples: (1) discipleship happens at the local church, (2) church members, and not pastors, are the primary disciple-makers, and (3) even most experienced members are not familiar with how to mentor new members. In light of these realities, and Ellen White’s counsel that church members need taught “how to begin,” it becomes vitally important that tools and resources be provided to equip church members with a simple process and clear direction for the discipleship of new members. This is the purpose of the _Discipleship Handbook_.
+
+### How to Use the _Discipleship Handbook_
+
+It is important to make the distinction that the _Discipleship Handbook_ is not merely a book about discipleship. Rather, it is a local church discipleship tool that can be used in the discipleship process of every newly baptized church member. When considering the five phases of the disciple-making process (prepare, plant, cultivate, harvest, preserve), the _Discipleship Handbook_ fits in the final phase—the nurture and training of new members for preserving the harvest. The book contains 26 chapters, which correlate to 26 weekly meetings (six months) between mentors and new members.
+
+To begin, local church leaders should read through Appendix A, “The Discipleship Plan,” to understand how to implement a simple discipleship plan for new members. They should then give a copy of the book to as many members as possible, asking them to read and familiarize themselves with the book in preparation for using it to mentor newly baptized church members. Because every member is to engage in the work of making disciples, every member should be preparing for a time in the future when they will serve as a local church discipleship mentor for someone newly baptized. Alternatively, only a small group of experienced members already willing to serve as mentors could be asked to read the book to familiarize themselves with the new member discipleship process.
+
+The process for using the _Discipleship Handbook_ is straightforward and simple. When new members are baptized, each one is paired with a more experienced member called a mentor. Both new members and mentors are given a _Discipleship Handbook_ if they don’t already have one. Beginning immediately after baptism, mentors and new members meet weekly to review one chapter of the _Discipleship Handbook_ together. This may be done individually or in a small group. It may be ideal to meet before prayer meeting or after church, thus merely adding an hour to a day when the mentor and new member already plan to be in the same place. In Appendix A, “The Discipleship Plan,” one-page meeting outlines are provided to guide the mentor in what to do during the weekly meetings. These outlines include discussion questions for the chapter being read that week. More important than this, however, are the activity ideas given to mentors to integrate the new members into the life and
+
+10 |
+
+DISCIPLING, NURTURING, AND RECLAIMING
+
+mission of the church. Activities such as introducing new members to members they haven’t yet met, arranging for Sabbath lunch and fellowship with other members, inviting new members to experience family sundown worship, taking new members on outreach activities, and many other recommended activities are suggested in the weekly outlines. These activities, or similar substitutes, are essential for training new members and for integrating them into the life of the church.
+
+In the second weekly meeting, which focuses on the topic of the Bible in the devotional life, the new member is encouraged to begin using the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy reading plan found in Appendix B of the _Discipleship Handbook_. This reading plan consists of daily readings of 15 to 20 minutes per day. As the new members are guided to a Bible passage to read during their daily devotional time, they are also asked to read a correlated passage in the writings of Ellen White. Each week, when mentors and new members meet, they are encouraged in the weekly outlines to begin their meeting by sharing one insight gained from their devotional time that week. By doing this, support and accountability are provided to help nurture the daily devotional habit in the new member. Of course, in order for the new member to follow the reading plan, the mentor will need to provide the necessary Ellen White books, or point them to free access versions on apps or websites.
+
+It is important that the local church personal ministries leader, or someone appointed as a discipleship ministry leader, provide active oversight of the new member discipleship process. Biweekly or monthly mentor meetings are one way to do this. Alternatively, the discipleship ministry leader may make personal contact every few weeks with each mentor. The reason this support and accountability is so important is that it is often the case that new member discipleship breaks down because the mentors are not fully committed. They may allow difficulties in schedules or distractions in their lives to prevent them from gaining any momentum with weekly meetings. If the meetings between mentors and new members don’t happen weekly, it greatly reduces the quality of the disciple-making.
+
+Over the course of the six-month process, mentors and new members will study many important topics. The 26 chapters in the _Discipleship Handbook_ cover discipleship, the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, personal prayer, character development, family worship, Adventist mission and identity, personal witnessing, church attendance, church ordinances, church organization, Adventist history, Adventist ministries, lifestyle, Sabbath observance, reverence, stewardship, health, modesty, entertainment, marriage and family, the evangelism cycle, preparing the soil of the heart, planting the seed of truth, cultivating spiritual interests, and harvesting and preserving decisions for Christ with ongoing discipleship.
+
+### Foundation Principles and the _Discipleship Handbook_
+
+We began this article with certain foundation principles of discipleship, the first being that disciple-making is a process that follows the growth cycle. This is reflected in the _Discipleship Handbook_ in various ways: (1) the last five chapters provide instruction in the evangelism cycle and all five phases of disciple-making, (2) the weekly outlines encourage the mentor to engage in several hands-on soul-winning activities with the new member, and (3) at the conclusion of the book, the new member is encouraged to use the book in the future to mentor someone even newer to the faith.
+
+The second principle was that the instruments of discipleship are people. This is reflected in the discipleship plan outlined in the _Discipleship Handbook_ by the pairing of each new member with a more experienced mentor. This vital relationship is built by incorporating weekly meetings as well as activities they experience together outside the meetings. In addition to the relationship between the new member and the mentor, there is also an intentional effort to connect the new member to both the worldwide church (e.g., history, organization, ordinances, etc.) and the local congregation (e.g., meeting attendance, social life, mission, etc.).
+
+The third principle was that the goal of discipleship is Christlikeness. This principle can be seen in the _Discipleship Handbook_ in various ways. The very first chapter, “To Be Like Jesus,” establishes this as the goal of discipleship. The fifth chapter, “By Beholding,” focuses on becoming like Jesus by beholding Him in prayer and the reading of His Word. Various aspects of practical, Christlike living are also reflected in the Christian lifestyle chapters.
+
+Fourth and last is the principle that the power of discipleship is from God. This principle is applied from the outset of the _Discipleship Handbook_, with an introduction in the first chapter to the eight spiritual “power” habits of consistent prayer, Bible study, family worship, Sabbath School attendance, church attendance, prayer meeting or small group attendance, personal witnessing, and involvement in church ministries. Several chapters are dedicated to giving practical guidance and strong encouragement to developing these spiritual habits. The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy reading plan is also introduced to equip new members with a simple plan that can help them discover the power of a consistent devotional life.
+
+### Conclusion
+
+Whether you utilize the _Discipleship Handbook_ or something similar, waste no time in employing an intentional and systematic plan to disciple every new member in your church or territory. With the four discipleship principles outlined in this chapter as your foundation, aim to develop every member into a loving, self-denying, soul winner—like Jesus. By doing this, you will not be limited to the plan of addition, but will experience the abundant joy of the plan of multiplication. “One soul, won to the truth, will be instrumental in winning others, and there will be an ever-increasing result of blessing and salvation.”<sup>11</sup>
+
+_Jim Howard is associate director of the General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department. His 17 years in pastoral and administrative ministry were preceded by a 12-year career in corporate accounting. He is married to Sonya, his wife of 24 years, and has two daughters—Kayla, 22, and Lindsey, 19. Throughout Howard’s ministry of preaching, teaching, training, and developing resources for soul winning and discipleship, his burden has been to lead every member to a closer walk with Jesus through communion with God, fellowship with the church, and active involvement in both personal and public outreach._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Bible texts in this chapter are from the New King James Version.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ellen G. White, _Evangelism_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946), p. 355.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ellen G. White, _Christ’s Object Lessons_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1900, 1941), p. 354.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ellen G. White, _Christian Service_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1925), p. 69
+
+<sup>5</sup> E. G. White, _Evangelism_, p. 356
+
+<sup>6</sup> E. G. White, _Christian Service_, p. 59.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Ellen G. White, _Prayer_ (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 2002), p. 84.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Great Controversy_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 519.
+
+<sup>9</sup> The resources mentioned are currently available with the exception of the _Bible Study Handbook_, which is currently planned to be published by the end of 2021.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Ellen G. White, _Maranatha_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1976), p. 99.
+
+<sup>11</sup> E. G. White, _Christian Service_, p. 59.
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+title: "New Member Discipleship: Disciple-Making Principles and the Discipleship Handbook"
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+---
+title: "Membership or Discipleship: What you Aim for is What you Get"
+---
+
+_Leigh Rice, D.Min & Glenn Townend_
+
+### Premise
+
+1. If we aim to make disciples, we will have disciples, but if we aim to make believers, we may not have disciples.
+
+2. The evangelism approach we use will determine whether we make disciples or believers.
+
+### Introduction
+
+After Jesus healed the blind man in Mark 8, he told him to “not return” to the village but go directly home. Jesus did not use the opportunity to attract the crowded village to himself. The disciples then declare him to be Messiah, but “he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him” (Mark 8:30, NRSV). Why? This presentation provides an opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ approach to making disciples.
+
+### Guiding Principles
+
+#### Guiding Principle 1—The Goal and the Process Determine the Outcome
+
+Jesus’ aim was to make disciples and not just believers. His approach was to work with a small group intensely. He modeled life and disciple-making to this small group. He taught the ways of God and faith. He corrected their failings and pointed them toward holiness. He instructed them in the processes of disciple-making. He asked questions to challenge their faulty thinking. Yes, He often talked to crowds, but He knew that on Sunday they could believe in Him as king and on Friday believe that He needed to be crucified.
+
+If we focus on telling people about Jesus and His message and life in crowds, we end up with believers. If we focus on Jesus’ model of self-discovery and doing things in small groups, we end up with disciples. In the South Pacific Division we are committed to following Jesus’ method to make disciples in relational groups focusing on self-discovery.
+
+#### Guiding Principle 2—Disciple-making Is a Process, Not an Event
+
+Discipleship is a lifelong journey. There may be significant events along the way, but unless discipleship is seen as a process and not an event, we will fail to make disciples who are “faithful to the end.” The first awakening to the reality and presence of God, the first contact with a Christian person, saying yes to Jesus as Savior and Lord, and sharing the gospel with a friend are all significant events. Being mentored in good spiritual habits, developing the life of a steward, being trained in sharing faith, also form part of the discipleship journey.
+
+#### Guiding Principle 3—Disciple-making Is Everyone’s Responsibility
+
+The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) was given to the original 11 disciples, but its scope is global, embracing the entire globe and for all time. Paul teaches that leaders are to train all for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12), and Peter affirms that we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
+
+#### Guiding Principle 4—Relationships Are Key
+
+The union Sabbath School and personal ministries director who guided my (Leigh) early ministry used to say, “We don’t make strangers disciples. We make strangers friends and introduce our friends to Jesus.” Relationships are key to disciple-making.
+
+#### Guiding Principle 5—Relationships and Involvement Ensure Retention
+
+At the center of the church’s focus on friendship evangelism in the 1980s was research that indicated that the number of friends within the congregation was predictive of whether new converts stayed in the church or not. Almost all new members with no or one friend in the congregation left. Almost all new members with 10 friends in the church stayed. Making disciples using strong relational connections will address much of the retention problem.
+
+#### Guiding Principle 6—New Disciples Do Better in New Churches
+
+The longer a church has existed, the harder it is for new believers to integrate into the congregation. Conversely, new disciples do better in new groups. As Jesus said: “You do not put new wine into old wineskins” (see Matthew 9:17). Since networks in new groups are less established, it is easier for new disciples to connect and become involved in the life of the congregation. Ministry opportunities are available for new as well as established believers. Experience confirms that involvement is important in nurture and retention.
+
+### South Pacific Division (SPD) Process
+
+#### A Compelling Vision
+
+The SPD has defined a clear and compelling vision for the church. The vision is _**A thriving Adventist movement living our hope in Jesus and transforming the Pacific**_. By Adventist movement SPD means a disciple-making church-planting movement reflecting the growth of the early Adventist Church. This vision is driven by the command of Jesus in the Great Commission: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and **make disciples** of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:16-20, NLT).
+
+We have defined what a disciple is, so the church in SPD knows exactly what we are seeking in our discipleship process. **_A disciple is a person who in every way is becoming more like Jesus Christ._** This definition grows out of Ephesians 4:15.
+
+In line with the General Conference we have **_Our Mission: Make disciples of Jesus Christ who live as His loving witnesses and proclaim to all people the everlasting gospel of the three angels’ messages in preparation for His soon return_** (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Revelation 14:6-12) as our mission statement.
+
+#### Align Structure and Finance With Vision
+
+The SPD executive has been intentional in aligning structure and finances to the vision of creating a disciple-making church-planting movement. Historically about 3 percent of the SPD budget was for strategic purposes focusing on disciple-making; since 2015, 20 percent of the budget funds disciple-making strategy. The discipleship ministries team was created at the same time to bring into one unit all the ministries whose primary focus would impact the local congregation, as each ministry of the local church is intended to be a part of a unified disciple-making strategy. So the SPD process is: maximizing **_health and media ministries with a focus on disciple-making in the big cities by aligning finances and other church activities to making better and more disciples._**
+
+#### Membership Versus Discipleship
+
+SPD has been intentional on prioritizing discipleship over membership. Disciples will be members, but members may not be disciples. In the stories of Andrew and Phillip in John 1 and the Samaritan woman in John 4 we find two characteristics of disciples. They have met Jesus and have a story to tell, and they invite others to “come and see” Jesus.
+
+In a presentation to the General Conference leaders meeting in the Caribbean in February 2019, the president of the West Africa Division contrasted member and disciple. Some of these contrasts follow.
+
+| Member | Disciple |
+| --- | --- |
+| Has head knowledge | Has heart knowledge |
+| Depends on the pastor | Involved in ministry |
+| Likes to be complimented | Is a living sacrifice |
+| Gives a portion of his finances | Gives her life |
+| Gives prayer requests | Prays for others |
+| Influenced by the world | Transforms the world |
+| Wants to be in heaven | Works for others |
+
+The experience in many parts of SPD has convinced leadership that the focus needs to be on disciples rather than members. They say that large-scale public evangelistic programs contribute little to making disciples and fail in making members who stay.
+
+The Central Papuan Conference president describes these large events as “backslider factories,” and the Port Moresby elders have decided that there will be no more big events in the city. When hosting evangelists in the city these days, the evangelist will preach in one church, and the meeting is livestreamed to other churches in the city. This approach gives the local church greater involvement in the process and the ability to nurture the new contacts and integrate them into the ministry of the local congregation. These elders reflected that they could identify only a few hundred of the many thousands who have been baptized in these large campaigns during the past 10 years. However, in recent public evangelistic programs that are streamlined to different venues, each venue can care for the five, 12, or 43 new members. The church people know the newly baptized and can relationally disciple them. When adding the number of baptisms in each venue, the number of new converts is similar to previous mass baptisms, but the retention is greater.
+
+The Trans Pacific Union Mission president is not inviting visiting evangelists from outside the SPD into the TPUM because it inhibits the union in equipping local elders, women, and youth to lead small public evangelism programs throughout their territory. They want to build the local church leadership in the evangelism process of disciple-making.
+
+### Clear Frames to Guide the Disciple-making Process
+
+A number of clear frames have been developed so members can understand and easily remember the process for making disciples and multiplying churches.
+
+#### Clear Frames—Farming Cycle (Mark 4:1-9, 26-29)
+
+The dominant frame is the farming cycle, which grows out of Jesus’ parables in Mark 4. It clearly shows that disciple-making is a process that results in multiplication “30, 60, even 100 times.” No multiplication will occur without practicing the process of preparing, sowing, cultivating, harvesting, and multiplying. This frame enables both churches and individuals to plan for and assess the integrity of their disciple-making process. Unless there is preparation and sowing, there will be little harvesting of new disciples into the kingdom of God.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Farming Cycle](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-02-membership-or-discipleship-what-you-aim-for-is-what-you-get/farming-cycle.png)
+
+Churches and individuals can populate the five steps of the process with activities that are appropriate in their local church context or with the people in their relational streams.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Farming Cycle](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-02-membership-or-discipleship-what-you-aim-for-is-what-you-get/farming-cycle-descriptions.png)
+
+In Jesus’ second farming parable (Mark 4:26-29) He emphasis the power of the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in the process of making disciples, and the role of the church in gathering new believers into kingdom groups. The farmer plants the seed, but it grows “all by itself” (verse 28, NIV). The challenge of the disciple-maker is to share the story of Jesus into people’s lives in such a way that it can grow “all by itself” whether the disciple-maker is present or not. Discovery Bible Reading is one tool that enables this “all by itself” principle.
+
+#### Clear Frames—Five Invitations of Jesus
+
+Jesus modeled disciple-making. We notice that He invited people to become His disciples through a series of questions that led them into a deepening experience and commitment—becoming more like Jesus in every way. To Andrew and Philip He said, “Come and see” (John 1:39, NKJV). The next day He invited Philip to “follow Me” (verse 43, NKJV). Philip went to find Nathanael, and invited him to come. Some 18 to 20 months later Jesus invited Peter and Andrew, and James and John, to “fish with Me” (see Matthew 4:19). Jesus then took them on a fishing journey and modeled to them disciple-making. His fourth invitation is found in a series of challenging invitations in the Sermon on the Mount. Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, and other commands that called these followers to “sacrifice with me.” His final invitation, “receive the Spirit,” is in Acts 1:8.
+
+These five invitations guide the journey of each disciple and also gives insights to disciple-makers. As one ascertains where a person is on their journey, the disciple-maker will know which is the appropriate invitation to extend to the person to move them along in the disciple-making process.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Five Invitations](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-02-membership-or-discipleship-what-you-aim-for-is-what-you-get/five-invitations.png)
+
+#### Clear Frames—Luke 10:1-9
+
+In Luke 10 we see Jesus multiplying leadership as he sends out the 70/72 on their disciple-making trip. Principles of prayer, working in teams, having relational skills, identifying places and finding the person of peace are apparent. As he sends them out he says, “Eat their food, heal their sick and tell them the Kingdom of God is near you” (Luke 10:9). Eating their food allows the disciple-maker to hear the story of the person. They discover the pain and sickness in their life and can offer healing. The healing process will be both practical and spiritual. Sharing your story of how God has healed you will be a part of this healing. As the Spirit prepares their heart, there will be opportunity to share God’s story, that Jesus is the Christ who died and rose again and to invite them into the kingdom of God through repentance, belief, and following Jesus.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Jesus’ Method of Disciple Making in Luke 10](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-02-membership-or-discipleship-what-you-aim-for-is-what-you-get/jesus-method.png)
+
+#### Clear Frames—Revelation 14:6-13
+
+Revelation 14:6-13 is not only our message but gives us insights into the methods we should use in sharing the story of scripture. Since the messages of the three angels are to go “to every nation, tribe, language, and people” (verse 6, NIV), disciple-makers must take into consideration the _context_ of the people. The first angel flies with the _eternal gospel_, so the stories of Jesus and the message of the gospel must be shared first. Notice Ellen White’s words: “In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word of God . . . must be studied in the light that streams from Calvary.”<sup>1</sup> “There should not a sermon given unless a portion of that discourse is to especially make plain the way that sinners may come to Christ and be saved.”<sup>2</sup>
+
+The call of the angel is to “fear God” and “give Him glory.” This is _practical Christian living_. Ellen White writes, “Speak to them, as you have opportunity, upon points of doctrine on which you can agree. Dwell on the necessity of practical godliness. Give them evidence that you are a Christian, desiring peace, and that you love their souls. Let them see that you are conscientious. Thus you will gain their confidence; and there will be time enough for doctrines.”<sup>3</sup>
+
+The first angel introduces _Adventist distinctives_, with a call to worship God as Creator because the hour of His judgment has come. Here we see Creation, the Sabbath, and Christ’s heavenly ministry taught. Ellen White’s instruction mirrors this process. “But while we have many things to say, we may be compelled to withhold some of them for a time, because the people are not prepared to receive them now.”<sup>4</sup> “You should not feel it your duty to introduce arguments upon the Sabbath question as you meet the people. If persons mention the subject, tell them that this is not your burden now. But when they surrender heart and mind and will to God, they are then prepared candidly to weigh the evidence in regard to these solemn, testing truths.”<sup>5</sup>
+
+The second and third angels introduce the major prophetic themes. Once again, Ellen White is instructive. “[Brother ———] is in some perplexity. . . . He wished to know how to present the truth in entering new fields. . . . I told him that the best and wisest plan would be to dwell upon subjects that would arouse the conscience. He could talk to them upon practical godliness; devotion and piety; and present the self-denial, self-sacrificing life of Jesus as our example until they will see the contrast in their self-indulgent life, and become dissatisfied with their unchristian lives. Then present to them the prophecies.”<sup>6</sup> She also cautions about what we say about the Roman power and the Papacy.<sup>7</sup>
+
+Our reflection on the three angels continues into verse 13, where the _multiplication_ stage appears. Before moving on from the three angels, a voice from heaven calls them blessed, “for their good deeds follow them.”
+
+This frame enables disciple-makers to know when and how to introduce a new person to the teachings of Scripture. You do not give a stage 5 answer to a person who is not yet in stage 2. So when a person asks, “What is this about the antichrist and the mark of the beast?” (a stage 5 question), but they are not yet following Jesus (stage 2), you could respond, “I would love to tell you about the antichrist, but before you can understand the antichrist you need to know the Christ.” You could then invite them on a Discovery Bible Reading journey to become a follower of Jesus. So Revelation 14:6-13 is both our message and our method.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Discipling Insights From Revelation 14:6-13](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-02-membership-or-discipleship-what-you-aim-for-is-what-you-get/discipling-insights.png)
+
+### Simple, Reproducible, Anyone-Can-Do Skills and at No Cost
+
+Central to mobilizing large numbers of church members to become disciple-makers and church planters is to re-create in the minds of pastors and church leaders that their primary role is to equip God’s people “for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12, NKJV). Such simple skills as Discovery Bible Reading, sharing your testimony, and presenting the gospel enable many members, including new disciples, to become disciple-makers. The New Testament records the rapid multiplication of church plants led by natural leaders immediately after becoming converts to Christianity. These natural leaders were often coached by Paul’s associates, and instructed and encouraged by Paul’s letters and occasional visits.
+
+#### Discovery Bible Reading
+
+Discovery Bible Reading is a simple, reproducible, anyone-can-do skill that can be used by large numbers of members and at no cost. Members invite friends, neighbors, work colleagues, and fellow students to Discovery Bible Reading groups. These can happen in homes, workplaces, in cafés and parks. They can happen anywhere. See the story of Nathan in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, at https://vimeo.com/258195171 and Leighton at the Central Coast Adventist School in Australia at https://vimeo. com/274600460. Discovery Bible Reading grows out of the belief that the Word of God is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than a twoedged sword” (Hebrews 4:12, KJV) and that “where two or three are gathered” in the name of Jesus (Matthew 18:20, NKJV), the Spirit is there to guide.
+
+We encourage groups to start with the Gospel of Mark. It is short and gets straight into the stories of Jesus and His ministry. Groups start at the beginning and read one story at a time. One person reads the story once, a second person reads the story through again, and a third person summarizes the story in their own words.
+
+Then the group discusses the story using five questions: 1. What is new? 2. What surprises you? 3. What don’t you understand? 4. What will you obey or apply? and 5. What will you share with someone this week? Leaders of the group do not need to be experts. For those parts of the story that people don’t understand, we encourage a simple response, such as “Let’s keep reading. I sure we will find the answer as we read more of the stories of Jesus.” The group arranges the time to meet again where they will share how they went at applying the teaching to their own lives and what happened when they shared with another person. The process has new believers following a discipleship process of applying Scripture to their lives and sharing it with someone else. These Discovery Bible Reading groups (called Branch Sabbath Schools in some territories of SPD) become the basis of new church plants.
+
+#### Member-led House Churches
+
+One of the features of movements is believers gathering in natural, affordable (or at little or no cost) venues. The cost of land and building in many places restricts the rapid expansion of church plants. An expectation that a congregation will have its own pastor or at most shared with one other is not sustainable if we are expecting a rapid multiplication of churches. Lounge rooms, garages, school classrooms, parks, and cafés could all serve as places for new churches to meet. This is the pattern in the New Testament. See Nathan’s experience in Port Moresby, PNG (https://vimeo.com/258195171) and Simelli and Josephine’s experience in Lautoka, Fiji (https://vimeo.com/257057066). Other resources are found at https://vimeo.com/spddiscipleship and http://discipleship. adventistchurch.com/resources/.
+
+These experiences have been repeated among young adults in South Queensland and in youth groups in Sydney, Australia. It confirms that these simple reproducible skills work across cultures, in both developed and developing countries and in city and rural settings.
+
+#### Vanuatu Experience
+
+Perhaps the best example of all of these principles coming together is in the Vanuatu Mission.
+
+In preparation for a citywide public evangelistic program in Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu, two churches committed to prayer-walk for a whole year around Fresh Water Oval, the proposed venue. One church prayer walked around the oval on a Wednesday lunchtime and the other at opening Sabbath time. When the program started in September 2014, thousands came to hear Jean Noel Adeline, the public evangelist, and Dr. Chester Kuma speak on health. By the end of the program, 12,000 were at the oval and others were connecting on Hope Channel TV and Hope Radio.
+
+While the public programs ran in the evening, Adeline led in a prayer meeting at 5:00 a.m. in the Epauto church. More than 1,000 people participated, where they sang praises and prayed as if God were right there with them. A revival broke out. The leaders of those who had separated from the official church in the 1990s to form independent Sabbathkeeping churches came to the prayer meetings to criticize. However, they experienced the power of God and repented. They asked to rejoin the Seventh-day Adventist Church. God’s grace enabled this to happen. Dozens of churches and thousands of people came back. In the final weekend of the program, 2,957 people were baptized. The church in Port Vila then focused on discipling all of these new members with discipleship workshops and giving them World Changer Bibles. Some learned how to start new groups and churches.
+
+In March 2015 Cyclone Pam devastated Efate Island—everyone suffered loss. However, the Adventists were quick to respond by taking water, tarpaulins, food, clothes, and other necessities to people in need all over the island. Such practical ministry was the focus for the year. At the time, about a third of villages in Efate had a Seventh-day Adventist presence. Today every village has an Adventist presence. The revival led to ongoing church growth and personal discipleship.
+
+On Friday, November 2, I had the privilege of opening the largest building in Vanuatu, with Maveni Kaufononga, the TPUM president, and Nos Terry, the Vanuatu Mission president. The new Epauto Adventist Multipurpose Centre in Port Vila seats about 5,000 people. On Sabbath morning it was filled beyond capacity. God is certainly creating a thriving Adventist discipleship movement in Vanuatu.
+
+### Concluding Reflections
+
+The approach that the SPD has been taking has a strong philosophical foundation. A focus on disciple-making to fulfill the gospel commission. Clearly aligned vision, structure, and finances. Redefining the role of pastors and church leaders as equippers of the church for ministry. Training large numbers of members with simple reproducible skills, such as Discovery Bible Reading and gospel presentations. Starting small member-led churches for new disciples.
+
+Anecdotal evidence says that it is working. The task ahead for the SPD is to evaluate the process with more rigorous analytical research, which is planned as part of the 2019-2020 initiatives.
+
+_Leigh Rice is the discipleship ministry team leader for the South Pacific Division. Leigh is a pastor at heart, who has served in both departmental and administrative roles. An Australian by birth, he has spent more than half of his 44 years of ministry abroad. Leigh is married to Barb, a daughter of missionary parents. They have a son, a daughter, and nine grandchildren. Leigh Rice holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University._
+
+_Glenn Townend is the president of the South Pacific Division. He is an experienced local church pastor, departmental director, and administrator —all in the SPD. His wife of 33 years, Pamela, and he have three married children and four grandchildren._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _Evangelism_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946), p. 190.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ibid., p. 188.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ellen G. White, _Gospel Workers_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1915), p. 120.
+
+<sup>4</sup> E. G. White, _Evangelism_, p. 200.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Ibid., p. 228.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Ibid., p. 226.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Ibid., p. 577.
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+title: "Membership or Discipleship: What you Aim for is What you Get"
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+---
+title: "SigaMe (Follow Me): An Experience in Creating a Culture of Discipleship"
+---
+
+_Kleber D. Gonçalves, Ph.D._
+
+### Introduction
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19, NKJV).
+
+By the Sea of Galilee Jesus Christ offered to two brothers a new path for their lives. Peter and Andrew were invited into a life-transforming experience that would take them from a humble lifestyle as basically unknown fishermen to becoming the very first disciples of the One who called Himself the Son of God. On that day a new and extraordinary process began. Jesus then established the pattern for the first 12 disciples that was later accepted for all who would embrace His passionate invitation: “Follow Me.”
+
+The reality found in many Christian churches, however, is a remarkably different approach from what Jesus Christ experienced with His initial disciples. In today’s reality, typically after a short cognitive “teaching” based on doctrinal and denominational instruction, the prospective “member” is then invited to join the church through baptism with the assumption that the new believer will spontaneously become a committed and devoted disciple. Unfortunately, a purposeful and experiential discipleship process, such as the one modeled by Christ with the first disciples, is generally overlooked. Most Christian communities miss the “in-depth, extensive orientation to being a ‘student of Christ’ in order to be a well-prepared, inspired ‘follower of Christ.’ ”<sup>1</sup> It should not surprise us that the direct consequence is the sad reality of nonfunctional church members, who tend to become mere consumers of “religious goods,” usually during a few hours in just one day of the week, within the four walls of a church building. In other words, very few committed, fully devoted followers of the Master can be found in the disciple-making mandate found in the Scriptures.
+
+We don’t need to be rocket scientists to notice that “something is missing” in many of our churches. There seems to be a disruption between membership and active involvement in ministry. After all, how to develop a significant, active, relevant life as real disciples following the footsteps left by the Master? Besides, if we accept that Christ has already given us an effective and meaningful discipleship model to follow, why not embrace it and fully benefit from its original purpose? How can disciple-making be a transformational and intentional process in every church, focusing every member and permeating every ministry? “Should not disciple-making be the primary goal of the church evangelistic efforts, instead of generally focusing on numerical growth?”<sup>2</sup>
+
+With the above issues in mind, this chapter will first look at the historical roots of the master-disciple relationship, then explore the biblical/ theological basis for discipleship with selected passages from the New Testament, and finally introduce the SigaMe (FollowMe) Forum as a case study in developing a culture of discipleship at the local church level.
+
+### Discipleship: A Historical Journey<sup>3</sup>
+
+All of us would agree that from the earliest days of life on earth, the more skilled have taught the less experienced. This was the way knowledge, abilities, competences, and character were passed through the generations. This concept is clearly seen in the Bible. A significant example is the connection between Paul and Timothy. Timothy was quite young and inexperienced when he first met his mentor. Paul, in turn, openly instructed Timothy how to proceed: “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 1:13, 14, NIV; 2:2, NIV). The instruction was clear: Timothy should keep Paul’s teachings to himself but also intentionally pass on to others what he had learned from his mentor.
+
+This was just an example of how, throughout history, mentors or spiritual guides have helped others maintain spiritual focus and keep a godly life. These relationships involved nurture, skills training, obedience, and intentional search for wisdom.<sup>4</sup> Even though this process is found in most ancient civilizations, the concept of discipleship in the Greco-Roman and in the first-century Jewish cultures is important as a background to better understanding its use, especially in the New Testament period.
+
+### Discipleship in the Greco-Roman Culture
+
+Greece is commonly recognized as the birthplace of Western civilization, and in many aspects discipleship was part of the Greek life. The Greek word μαθητής (_mathētēs_) was used by Herodotus, Plato, and Socrates centuries before Jesus.<sup>5</sup> The term appears frequently in classical Greek literature with three main meanings:<sup>6</sup>
+
+**_Learner/trainee_**: the earliest use of _mathētēs_ referred to a person who was a learner in different fields, such as dancing, wrestling, music, astronomy, and so on. Therefore, the “learner” was acquiring knowledge or skill from an expert to a particular activity.
+
+**_Pupil/apprentice_**: the term then progressed from learner to pupil, thus including the concept not just of learning but also of commitment to an individual teacher. For instance, the disciples of Plato or Socrates were not just learning skills; they were also fervently devoted to their master. Therefore, discipleship during this period became more than just acquiring education.
+
+**_Disciple/adherent_**: additionally, in a deeper level _mathētēs_ also indicated a person who made a significant, personal, life commitment. After the practices were learned, they were to be demonstrated in practical ways. For instance, becoming a disciple of a particular culture now meant that one’s lifestyle should reflect that culture. Taking into consideration the commitment involved, Wilkins notices: “The type of adherence was determined by the master, ranging from being the follower of a great thinker and master of the past like Socrates, to being the pupil of a philosopher like Pythagoras, to being the devotee of a religious master like Epicurus.”<sup>7</sup>
+
+In common use, however, a _mathētēs_ was not a committed follower of a particular master. Direct interaction with a famous teacher, nevertheless, was not a precondition to follow his teachings. For instance, “one could follow the teachings of Socrates simply by adopting the way of life promoted by the person of Socrates as developed in the writings of Plato. A disciple could also conform their habits to a way of life that exemplified the virtues of a particular culture or city.”<sup>8</sup> Toward the end of the Hellenic era the focus gradually shifted to the kind of relationship that demanded a devotion having the potential to affect the follower’s life entirely. In the New Testament period, religious adherents were ultimately called disciples. Learning was minimised in these contexts, where the main focus was the religious devotion and imitation of the master’s life and character. Imitation of the teacher’s conduct became crucial. The emphasis increasingly moved from learning a basic skill to imitation of character and conduct.
+
+### Discipleship in the First-Century Jewish Culture
+
+Similar to the meaning of “disciples” in the Greco-Roman classical era (up to the New Testament period) there were people called disciples in the Judaism of the first century. Such individuals were committed to well-known teachers or movements—independently of their philosophical schools, religious observances, and/or political preferences. Nevertheless, true Jews would call themselves disciples of Moses, regardless of sectarian commitments. Various subgroups had their own followers. For instance, the Pharisees and their disciples openly professed to be Moses’ disciples (John 9:28, 29). They were the precursors of the later relationship between a disciple and a master that evolved into a formal system centered on the teaching of the Torah.
+
+Prophets also had their disciples based not only on learning but also on righteousness and piety. John the Baptist had his own disciples who followed his teachings and practiced his austere lifestyle (Mark 2:18; Luke 11:1; John 3:25; Acts 19:1-7). Qumran also had social structures that could be described as master/disciple within their community.
+
+In general terms, in first-century Judaism, boys were trained in community, having the Torah as the central focus of their “homeschooling” learning process. Primarily the father had the responsibility to teach the Torah to his children. During Jesus’ time evidences suggest that primary schools were established to diminish Hellenistic influences.<sup>9</sup> However, after 13 years of age boys would no longer receive this kind of formal training. If further education was desired, they had to become a disciple under the orientation of a recognized Torah scholar.<sup>10</sup> This was the proper way to master the Mosaic law, Jewish traditions, and the interpretations associated with them. For instance, Paul’s experience was a perfect example of a young man who was sent to study the Torah under Gamaliel, a renowned Rabbi in Jerusalem, thus leaving behind his hometown, Tarsus of Cilicia, for that purpose (Acts 5:34; 22:3).
+
+Especially among Jewish contexts of the first century there is clear evidence that one-to-one discipleship was a common practice. During that period it is possible to find several examples of discipleship as an experience of individuals fully committed to follow a prominent teacher, carrying on his teachings, and imitating his life.
+
+A striking shift, however, in comparing the Greek with the first-century Jewish approach to discipleship is clearly perceptible. In the Hebrew context, _**discipleship was much more than just a cognitive exchange, but included one’s life experience—within the context of community, starting in the family and then with others.**_ In other words, it indicated not only the acceptance of the master’s values and embracing his principles, but ultimately reproducing his ideas and beliefs in practical ways.
+
+### Discipleship in the Old Testament
+
+The apparent lack of specific discipleship terminology is a remarkable aspect that stands out when we go to the Old Testament seeking to find the foundations of the discipling-making process. For instance, the Greek word _mathētēs_ does not occur in the Septuagint.<sup>11</sup> (Rausch 2003:71). This fact, however, does not mean that the notion and practical aspects or different words are not found. On the contrary, two terms, _talmîdh_ and _limmûdh_—although found together only seven times in the whole Old Testament—express the same concept.
+
+#### The Terms “Disciple” in the Old Testament
+
+_Talmîdh_ is the Hebrew equivalent of _mathētēs_. Just as _mathētēs_ (disciple, learner) comes from the verb _manthanō_ (to learn), so _talmîdh_ comes from the Hebrew verb _lāmadh_ (to learn), meaning “the taught one.”<sup>12</sup> _Talmîdh_ as such is used only once in the Old Testament: “Young and old alike, teacher as well as student [_talmîdh_], cast lots for their duties” (1Chronicles 25:8, NIV). Wilkins points out that “within a classification of musicians, the noun indicates a pupil in contrast to a teacher (_mebhîn_), or a novice in contrast to a master. . . . Some have understood this to mean that a formal school existed in Jerusalem for the training of temple musicians.”<sup>13</sup> The text of 1 Chronicles 25:8, therefore, should be seen and understood in the simplest way: a _talmîdh_ is someone who is committed to the learning process or an apprentice learning a specific skill.
+
+The adjective _limmûdh_ (taught), in turn, occurs only six times in the Old Testament, in the books of Isaiah (8:16; 50:4 [twice]; 54:13) and Jeremiah (2:24; 13:23). This adjective also comes from the verb _lāmadh_. In Jeremiah it has the meaning of “accustomed to” something: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are _**accustomed**_ to doing evil” (Jeremiah 13:23, NIV). Here it clearly points to the reality of someone who has been “discipled” or taught to do evil things.
+
+In the book of the prophet Isaiah _limmûdh_ means “taught” or “instructed.”<sup>14</sup> The occurrences of _limmûdh_ in Isaiah are important, especially because scholars have given to the adjective in these passages the connotation of “taught, as disciples,” or “disciple, follower.”<sup>15</sup> The text of Isaiah 8:16 declares: “Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples” (NIV). Here _limmûdh_ indicates that a group of disciples were gathered around the prophet Isaiah, listening to the words of God through him. It may also imply that Isaiah personally trained these disciples who could then transmit the prophet’s teachings to others. In other words, while Isaiah may not have had a formal school under his responsibility—such as in Elisha’s case (1 Kings 20:35; 2 Kings 2:3-15; 4:1-38)—he nevertheless gathered a special group of men to share his teachings with them.
+
+Furthermore, Isaiah 50:4, reads: “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple” (NASB).This text implies a familiar category of persons in Israel known as “disciples/taught ones,” who were assumed to have the ability of speaking and attentive listening. Isaiah 54:13, in turn, records that the sons of Zion will be directly instructed by the Lord: “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace” (NIV). The context does not designate the content of the instruction, but the picture indicates those who will be characterized as “God-taught.” This is the same as affirming that they have been committed disciples of God.<sup>16</sup>
+
+It is critical to observe, however, that even tough direct discipleship terminology is very scarce in the Old Testament; discipleship relationships are unmistakably present. They include, for instance, the experiences of Moses-Joshua, Elijah-Elisha, Mordecai-Esther, JeremiahBaruch. Apparently these relationships were not intended to build the case for discipleship. They were in fact unique relationships to fulfill a special work of God in a given circumstance. Yet—perhaps unwittingly— individual master-disciple relationships enabled leadership functions to be passed from one leader to the next. Among the examples of disciple-master relationship in the Old Testament we can emphasize three groups: the prophets, the scribes, and the wise men.
+
+#### The Prophets
+
+The Old Testament indicates that some prophets had followers or disciples. As we have seen above, Isaiah mentions his disciples (Isaiah 8:16). Samuel had groups of “student prophets” around him (1 Samuel 10:5-10) and apparently he was a mentor to his pupils (1 Samuel 19:20-24). In this case the established disciple-master relationship had no connection with a formal school structure but as a community of “prophets” recognizing Samuel as their spiritual mentor.
+
+In a different role, Elijah mentored Elisha, and Elisha later led the “company of the prophets.” With this special group Elisha also established his mentorship (cf. 1 Kings 20:35; 2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7, 15; 4:1, 38; 5:22; 6:1; 9:1). These prophets “were not prophets in training but were rather gathered around Elisha for guidance in performing their own prophetic activities . . . a master-disciple relationship in mutual commitment to service of God.”<sup>17</sup> These men were evidently influenced and learned from Elisha’s example and teachings.
+
+Other prophets reveal a master-disciple interaction with monarchs. Hull writes, “Prophets also seemed to have a special relationship with kings: Isaiah with Hezekiah, Nathan with David, and Samuel with Saul. While not always pleasant for the kings, these odd relationships were often necessary for the spiritual direction of the kings.”<sup>18</sup> Concomitantly, the direction the king took had direct consequences to the whole nation. Nevertheless, leaders of Israel were evaluated according to whether or not they were following God’s instructions. Individual discipleship, therefore, became the basis for national discipleship, since all discipleship relationships were designed to lead individuals and Israel as a nation into a closer walk with the Lord.
+
+#### The Scribes
+
+In a similar way, the scribes also displayed features of the discipleship process. Taking into consideration the very nature of their profession, the scribes would obviously be involved in the student type of training into their daily and basic activities (e.g., reading, copying, and so on). Different abilities were also linked with the scribes. For instance, they got involved in political duties as counselors to members of the monarchy and also in their attempts to fulfill God’s purposes through their services (cf. 2 Samuel 8:16-18; 20:23-25; 1 Kings 4:1-6).
+
+For instance, after the Exile Ezra’s responsibilities as scribe focused on the teaching of the law (Nehemiah 8:1), but such responsibility was also in evidence prior to the Exile (cf. Jeremiah 8:8, 9). Wilkins writes, “Much of the training for these various scribal responsibilities appears to have occurred within the family and clan, which would speak of disciple-master training in these skills being from father to son.”<sup>19</sup> In all of these developments relationships centered in the discipleship processes were not only implied but also essential.
+
+#### The Wise Men
+
+The existence of a professional class of thinkers in the Old Testament to carry on the development of wisdom literature has been a reality for centuries. The need of this occupation was seen crucial in at least three areas: wisdom was a world outlook, a teaching opportunity, and a tradition to be kept. If seen from this point of view, wisdom developments required master-disciple relationships, varying of course in form and function depending on the type of relationships.<sup>20</sup>
+
+A wisdom school is often suggested as being behind this nationwide wisdom organization. Evidence of wisdom emphasis at the royal court gives some weight to this suggestion. But the nonexistence of a “wisdom school” suggests that the master-disciple association was more suitable to be found in family contexts, in elder-leader training, and among “wise men” who were authorities in the wisdom tradition.<sup>21</sup>
+
+Even with the relative lack of discipleship terminology, the essence of the work done by the prophets, the scribes, and the wise men point out to the need of the master-disciple connection in the Old Testament experience. These relationships were crucial for the continuation of the discipleship process that would come in the New Testament period.
+
+### Discipleship in the New Testament
+
+As we have seen so far, discipleship experiences often demanded devotion to the instructions of an outstanding teacher or lessons carried on by a particular cultural context. In the New Testament, however, we find a broader understanding and application of discipleship.
+
+The Greek word μαθητής and its variations appear 263 times in the New Testament: 235 times in the Gospels and 28 times in Acts.<sup>22</sup> The first disciples in the Gospels were actually followers of John the Baptist. The Gospel of John clearly points out that the Baptist recognized his role essentially as someone who would pave the way for the expected Messiah (John 1:23). When Jesus begins His public ministry, John immediately leads two of his disciples to Christ (verses 35-39). After this first encounter Jesus continued His work in gathering the 12 around Him. Gradually Jesus then becomes the great master in the Gospels.
+
+As a direct result of this process, the first disciples of Jesus followed Him wherever He went. On these experiences they observed how Christ reacted in His daily relationships with the multitudes and also with the religious leaders of Israel. They also carefully paid attention to Jesus’ teachings about these interactions and the issues involved.
+
+The cultural understanding of discipleship in the Gospels, therefore, was clearly evident in those who would follow Him. Yet the distinction of Jesus’ ministry from that of the religious leaders was also related to some cultural aspects. For instance, Jesus said: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them” (Matthew 23:2-4, NIV). Thus, to become a true disciple of Christ meant to intentionally follow Him, in words **_and_** actions.
+
+In order to further understand this dimension of the Christian discipleship process, I now turn to three of the most important discipleship passages found in the teachings of the Master.
+
+#### Make Disciples
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matt 28:16-20, NIV).
+
+This is the biblical mandate, commonly identified as the Great Commission, in which Jesus instructs His followers to move outward and make disciples, teaching them in faith, and initiating them into fellowship. The basic components of Matthew 28:16-20 can be seen as follows:
+
+1. Jesus commands His disciples to go to Galilee to be with him (verses 16, 17)
+
+2. Jesus comes to them declaring His authority and sovereignty (verse 18)
+
+3. Jesus then commissions His disciples to a specific task (verses 19, 20)
+
+a. Making disciples is the primary focus of the commission.
+
+b. Going to everyone, baptizing, and sharing Jesus’ teachings to the whole world are the characteristics of the discipleship process.
+
+4. Jesus promises to be with His disciples until the end (verse 20)
+
+**_The Background of Discipleship— Verse 16_**. The phrase “the eleven disciples” just confirms the tragic end of Judas’ experience, followed by suicide (Matthew 27:5). In the attitude of the 11 of going where Jesus had told them, we see—one more time—one of the most important elements of a true discipleship experience: obedience. Looking at the geographical context, Jesus’ ministry finishes where it had started: in Galilee (Matthew 4:15, 16). It sets the context to the fact that Jesus was about to communicate vital instructions to his disciples.
+
+**_The Reality of Discipleship—Verse 17_**. When Jesus suddenly appears to His disciples, worship and doubt were expressed. But how was it possible? Are these reactions mutually exclusive, or could both be realities that happened at the same time within the disciples? Was there another group beyond the 11 at this mountaintop? These are some of the questions this passage brings. A first possibility is that the Gospel of Matthew presents the responses of two different groups among the 11 disciples. It means that among the 11 some worshipped Jesus, but some showed doubt.<sup>23</sup> A second possibility indicates that those who worship and those who doubt are, in fact, the same people. In this case the verb “doubted” might indicate uncertainty rather than disbelief.<sup>24</sup> The disciples’ doubt is therefore not unbelief but another case of “little faith” (Matthew 14:31, NIV). This might also indicate that a disciple still faces situations with a certain level of tension. Somehow, faith cannot exist without the possibility of doubt.
+
+**_The Basis of Discipleship—Verse 18_**. Jesus now affirms that “all authority” has been given to Him. However, before the upcoming commission of the subsequent verse, Jesus assures His disciples of His sovereign dominion over heaven and earth. Several scholars believe that this verse is at least an echo of Daniel 7:13, 14. Nolland affirms that this connection “is very likely, but it implies newly gained authority only if the allusion is not simply to the status of the one like a son of man/ humanity, but to that status as having just been acquired.”<sup>25</sup> A common understanding, nevertheless, is that a newly acquired authority came to Jesus after His death and resurrection. “It is the investiture of the risen Christ with such unrestricted, universal sovereignty, that Jesus now claims and which, especially within a few days, that is after his ascension to heaven, he is beginning to exercise. That is the reward upon his labors.”<sup>26</sup> The term “all” is also a key word in the Great Commission, as it is used not only to describe the greatness of Jesus’ authority—in heaven, over spiritual forces, on earth, and over His disciples<sup>27</sup>—but also to reveal distinctive dimensions that come three more times in the subsequent verses: “all the nations”; “to observe all”; “all the days” (verses 19, 20a, 20b, YLT).
+
+**_The Goal of Discipleship—Verses 19, 20a_**. Literally the original says, “Having gone, therefore, make disciples . . .” The “therefore” gives to the commission its foundation on what has just been presented on the previous verse: Jesus’ power, authority, and sovereignty. Here it is important to highlight that the only verb with imperative force in the Great Commission is “make disciples” (_matheteusate_). New Testament scholars point out to the fact that the participle “having gone” (_poreuthentes_) found in the beginning of the verse should be translated as “as you go.” Jesus is here clearly directing His disciples to go to all the nations with a purpose: make disciples. This is indeed a mission passage. Jesus’ disciples are always commanded to go. Making disciples is “the heart of the commissioning.”<sup>28</sup> The remainder of the verse better defines what it means “to disciple”: baptizing and teaching people from all ethnic groups around the world.
+
+**_The Assurance of Discipleship—Verse 20b_**. Matthew begins his last sentence with one final emphatic emphasis, as if to say, “No one less than I Myself am with you.” Thus, the Great Commission ends with Jesus’ promise of continuous presence with His followers. As Hendriksen writes: “At the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus Christ assures the church of his constant and comforting presence.”<sup>29</sup>
+
+It becomes obvious that the Great Commission was intended beyond the first disciples gathered at that particular circumstance. Obviously the first disciples of Christ could not go to the whole world by themselves to fulfill the new given mission of making disciples. Therefore, the commission is universal in its scope since every true follower of Jesus Christ should be engaged in disciple-making. Furthermore, the message to be conveyed—the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ—is intended for the whole world, with no geographical or ethnical limits.
+
+#### Love One Another
+
+“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34, 35, NIV).
+
+This passage in John’s Gospel belongs to the farewell speech Christ shared with His disciples. In the context of these verses (verses 31-38) Jesus confirms one more time His soon departure and predicts Peter’s denial. In the middle of these two announcements Jesus intentionally gives to His disciples “a new commandment” (verse 34, NKJV). However, the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself was not a new teaching to Jesus’ disciples (Leviticus 19:18; cf. Proverbs 20:22; 24:29; Matthew 5:43, 44). Yet the new aspect was Jesus’ command to love one another with a new dimension: “as I have loved you.” In other words, the love is to be of the same nature.<sup>30</sup> Köstenberger writes, “This rule of self-sacrificial, selfgiving, selfless love, a unique quality of love inspired by Jesus’ own love for the disciples, [would] serve as the foundational ethic for the new messianic community.”<sup>31</sup> This was the “new” feature of it.
+
+Christ’s love to humankind in giving up His life for everyone was completely new. Obviously, on one hand, the essence of Jesus’ love for His followers cannot be reproduced by or in themselves. It was an act of love that makes their salvation a reality. On the other hand, every follower of Christ can follow His example. Thus, Jesus’ disciples are to love one another: they should follow His example of sacrificial service to one another. Consequently, a new model and standard was established to the followers of Jesus Christ to obey. It is not, however, something transcending the great moral law, which is “the old commandment” (Exodus 20:3-17; 1 John 2:7; Mark 12:28-33), but that law should be lived in a new and peculiar way.<sup>32</sup>
+
+Jesus continues saying in John 13:35, “by this all will know” (NKJV), referring to the main characteristic of those who decide to follow Him. Christ boldly and unashamedly points out to the ultimate mark of discipleship: if you love one another. Once again, the conjunction “if” is present, indicating that this attitude is a choice—a voluntary and deliberate decision to practice, in love, the example of the Master as a disciple.
+
+#### Follow Me
+
+> <callout></callout>
+> “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23, NASB).
+
+There are many texts in which Jesus explains in greater detail and with other descriptions the true meaning of being His disciple, but the call to follow Him is the first and probably the most basic explanation. The heart of Christ’s call is to be with Him (Mark 3:14) and to know Him intimately (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:9; Philippians 3:10). It is a dynamic process that indicates a voluntary movement toward Jesus.
+
+The invitation “follow Me” is found in a number of references in the Gospels. It first appears in the calling of the first disciples (cf. Matthew 4:19; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:43). The pattern of the calling is well defined: (1) Jesus chooses the ones He would call; (2) He summons them; and (3) the response was immediate. The same pattern is repeatedly found in the Gospels.<sup>33</sup>
+
+Among the “follow Me” calls of Jesus, Luke 9:23 undoubtedly better elucidates the cost involved in following the footsteps of the Master. Bock says: “The path of following Jesus, in light of where he is going, is hard. Jesus prepares the disciples for the journey, expressing it simply in terms of wishing ‘to come after him.’ This remark sets the context for interpreting what follows.”<sup>34</sup>
+
+In the passage, discipleship includes three crucial instructions: “deny oneself,” “take up daily,” and “follow Me.” The sequence presented in the text indicates that out of the personal and essential decisions made about the self and the bearing of the cross on a daily basis comes a transformational process—the real experience of following Jesus. In other words, real discipleship demands transformation.
+
+It is important to emphasize that Jesus starts His call with the conjunction “if.” Using this conditional word, the Gospel of Luke makes it clear that Christ is not commanding anyone to do anything, but actually He is inviting His followers into a journey, a new way of life, an experience that will bring them everlasting fulfillment. In other words, Jesus’ invitation is a choice one needs to make in order to follow Him.
+
+The ultimate aspect of the invitation is “follow Me.” In the New Testament this verb occurs primarily in the Gospels (79 out of 90 occurrences). It has two literal meanings: “follow” in the sense of “go behind” and “follow” in the sense of “making company.” By metaphorical extension, it also means “be a disciple of,” in the sense of adhering to the teaching or instructions of a master and promoting the cause of that master.<sup>35</sup> It is remarkable that this figurative meaning of “follow” is found only in the four Gospels and in Revelation 14:4, when the 144,000 follow the Lamb regardless of the cost.
+
+In Luke 9:23, as noted above, one can obviously perceive some of the most pressing elements of discipleship: obedience, repentance, submission, and commitment.<sup>36</sup> As we look at these and other elements of discipleship, one question yet remains: What would happen if what Jesus intentionally did to 12 men more than 2,000 years ago could be done again today, in our churches? This is the purpose of the SigaMe Forum to which we now turn.
+
+### SigaMe: Creating a Culture of Discipleship
+
+The _SigaMe_ (FollowMe) forum started while I was still pastoring the _IASD Nova Semente_ (New Seed SDA Church) in São Paulo, Brazil.<sup>37</sup> The main goal? To create a culture of discipleship at the local church level, in our own church, and also to inspire and motivate similar actions with other pastors and church leaders. Is this possible? In reality, this is not a matter of possibility. It is an issue that involves responsibility and a calling: the responsibility to fulfill the command that Christ has left us: “Go and make disciples of all nations”; the call to live the real experience of love and to fully accept the invitation “Follow Me.”
+
+The _SigaMe_ forum is a unique annual event that has happened at Nova Semente since 2014. The first edition was a two-day event. But in the subsequent years it became a daylong gathering, usually on a Sunday, where participants can better understand and above all share true experiences on following Jesus. During _SigaMe_ participants are challenged to rediscover the meaning of the Master’s invitation to each of His followers and how to best develop tools to make this a reality in their own lives.
+
+During the event, essential elements<sup>38</sup> of the discipleship process are explored in different sessions in which, after a brief 25-minute reflection led by an expert and/or a practitioner on the topic, participants can have a unique relational discipleship experience in discussions, exchange of experiences, and spiritual interactivity in a small group setting comprised of six to eight people around a table specifically prepared for this purpose.
+
+The open and enriching dialogue about discipleship generated through this intentional format has created a unique learning environment at _SigaMe_. One of the first lessons we have learned is that for those who are looking for ways to improve the discipleship experience in their own churches, they must first do a self-analysis and then consider how their personal discipleship understanding and practice needs to grow. We believe this has been one of the first steps in creating a culture of discipleship at the local church level.
+
+Second, how can we encourage and motivate other people and churches to have a real discipleship experience if we as leaders have not yet lived that experience in our own lives? In other words, any real and life-transforming discipleship experience does start with each one of us. Before we can make a disciple, we truly need to become one. Attending and participating in the FollowMe forum has provided unique opportunities to establish a new vision and practice in that direction.
+
+Third, we have also learned that an interactive relational discipleship experience has the potential to challenge, inspire, and transform the participants’ perspective on what it means to be and make disciples for Jesus.
+
+### Conclusions
+
+Historically speaking, we can essentially find two paths for discipleship. The early Greek understanding of discipleship was, to a great extent, to sit under a teacher/master to gain knowledge. In other words, discipleship was centered more on _intellectual understanding_, more of a cognitive exchange of ideas and/or philosophical, political, and religious convictions. First-century Jewish understanding and practices of discipleship, on the other hand, were centered more on _following_ the rabbi/teacher, sitting at his feet not only to gain knowledge but also to learn how to do what he did, how to live as he lived. Basically, the first-century Jewish discipleship process was focused on how to become like the master. Jewish disciples were life learners of the Torah, where this process primarily occurred in the context of community.
+
+As we have also seen, the lack of discipleship terminology in the Old Testament does not mean the absence of its concepts and practices. Although few words are used to describe the master-disciple relationship, several practical examples found in the Old Testament express the essence and extent of the discipleship process. However, the New Testament discipleship, especially in the Gospels, is centered on the dynamics of following Jesus, learning not only from His teachings but also from His own life examples. The New Testament _mathētēs_ is more than just a “student” or “learner.” A true disciple of Christ is a “follower,” someone who completely obeys His instructions—in theory **_and_** practice—making His teachings the rule of life and conduct.
+
+Comparing the discipleship elements found in the New Testament passages analyzed in this chapter—such as obedience, transformation, and love—with the current state of discipleship within in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, I tend to come to the conclusion that, unfortunately, the church, in general terms, still places considerable emphasis on the Western, Greek-based intellectual/cognitive aspect of discipleship. This emphasis is not entirely wrong, but it is not enough. Discipleship needs to have a deeper understanding and practice. In many parts of the world the “Christian life” of Seventh-day Adventists is limited to a couple of hours, on Sabbath morning, within the limits of four walls of a church building. Most of them are good church members, but unfortunately have never understood nor lived the life of a real disciple of Christ during the ordinary days of the week.
+
+Discipleship does not happen overnight. Through the _SigaMe_ initiative in creating a culture of discipleship I have learned that real discipleship takes intentionality and time. In spite of their importance, discipleship curricula, event-based training, and resources readily made available are not enough. Planning and implementation of a discipleship process at the local church level must take into consideration the oneon-one approach as well as a community-based structure as found in the biblical examples of discipleship. This new approach to discipleship could be made on a pilot-basis level and in different cultural contexts before it is mass-distributed to the world church.
+
+Finally, the radical nature and cost of biblical discipleship involved in the call Jesus places before us is more than just intellectually accepting doctrinal instruction. If we are to operate up to our mission statement as it reads (“The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to call all people to become disciples of Jesus Christ, to proclaim the everlasting gospel embraced by the three angels’ messages [Revelation 14:6-12], and to prepare the world for Christ’s soon return”), we need more than numerical growth, we need more than church members: we need real disciples who have accepted in their minds and in their hearts the call: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
+
+_Kleber D. Gonçalves was born in Brazil and has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the areas of publishing work, pastoral ministry, church planting, and teaching. Kleber serves the world church at the General Conference as the director of the Global Mission Center for Secular and Postmodern Studies. He is married to Nereida C. Gonçalves, and they have three children: Isabella, Nichollas, and Gabriella._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Dan Kohn, _Discipleship in the Postmodern Age: One Disciple’s Journey . . . and Yours_ (Bloomington, Ind.: Xlibris, 2010), p.12.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Kleber D. Gonçalves, “Transforming Discipleship: Opportunities in Following the Master in a Postmodern World,” _Journal of Adventist Mission Studies 12_, no. 2 (2016): 278.
+
+<sup>3</sup> I have originally published this subsection, with minor changes, in Ibid., pp. 278-281.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Bill Hull, _The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ_ (Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 2006), pp. 52, 53.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Michael J. Wilkins, _The Concept of Disciple in Matthew’s Gospel: As Reflected in the Use of the Term “Mathētēs,” Novum Testamentum supplements_ (Leiden, The Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 1988), vol. 59, pp. 11, 12.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Ibid., pp. 70-73.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Michael J. Wilkins, “Disciples,” in _Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels_, ed. Joel B. Green, Scot McKinght, and I. Howard Marshall (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1992), p. 176.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Everett Ferguson, _Backgrounds of Early Christianity_ (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), p. 330.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Ibid., pp. 102, 103.
+
+<sup>10</sup> D. F. Watson, “Education: Jewish and Greco-Roman,” in _Dictionary of New Testament Background_, ed. Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2000), pp. 308-310.
+
+<sup>11</sup> Thomas P. Rausch, _Who Is Jesus? An Introduction to Christology_ (Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Brothers, 2003), p. 71.
+
+<sup>12</sup> James Swanson, “Lamadh,” _Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament)_, electronic ed. (Oak Harbor, Wash.: Logos, 1997), p. H4340.
+
+<sup>13</sup> Michael J. Wilkins, _Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship_ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992), p. 55.
+
+<sup>14</sup> Walter C. Kaiser, “Lamadh,” _Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament_, ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke (Chicago: Moody, 1980), p. 480.
+
+<sup>15</sup> Francis Brown, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs, _The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon_ (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1994), p. 541.
+
+<sup>16</sup> Wilkins, _Following the Master_, p. 56.
+
+<sup>17</sup> Ibid., p. 64.
+
+<sup>18</sup> Hull, p. 58.
+
+<sup>19</sup> Wilkins, _Following the Master_, p. 56.
+
+<sup>20</sup> James L. Crenshaw, _Old Testament Wisdom_ (Louisville, Ky.: John Knox Press, 2010), pp. 24, 25.
+
+<sup>21</sup> Ernest C. Lucas, _Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Psalms and Wisdom Literature_ (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2008), pp. 40-43.
+
+<sup>22</sup> James Strong, “Μαθητής,” _Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance With Greek and Hebrew Dictionary_, electronic ed. (Oak Harbor, Wash.: Logos, 1980), p. G3101.
+
+<sup>23</sup> K. L. McKay, “The Use of Hoi De in Matthew 28:17: A Response to K. Grayson,” _Journal for the Study of the New Testament 24_ (1985): 71.
+
+<sup>24</sup> David E. Garland, _Reading Matthew: A Literary and Theological Commentary, Reading the New Testament_ (Macon, Ga.: Smyth and Helwys, 2013), pp. 271, 272.
+
+<sup>25</sup> John Nolland, _The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary of the Greek Text, The New International Greek Testamentary Commentary_ (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005), p. 1264.
+
+<sup>26</sup> William Hendriksen, _Matthew, Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew_ (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), p. 998.
+
+<sup>27</sup> James M. Boice, _Christ’s Call to Discipleship_ (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1998), pp. 160-162.
+
+<sup>28</sup> David J. Bosch, _Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission_ (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis, 1991), p. 73.
+
+<sup>29</sup> Hendrikson, p. 1003.
+
+<sup>30</sup> Marvin R. Vincent, _Word Studies in the New Testament_ (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), p. 236.
+
+<sup>31</sup> Andreas J. Köstenberger, _John_ (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), pp. 423, 424.
+
+<sup>32</sup> Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, _Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible_ (Oak Harbor, Wash.: Logos, 1997), vol. 2, p. 155.
+
+<sup>33</sup> Wilkins, _Following the Master_, p. 107.
+
+<sup>34</sup> Darrell L. Bock, Luke 1:1–9:50, ed. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein, _Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament_ (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1994), p. 852.
+
+<sup>35</sup> David E. Aune, “Following the Lamb: Discipleship in the Apocalypse,” in _Patterns of Discipleship in the New Testament_, ed. Richard N. Longenecher (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996), p. 275.
+
+<sup>36</sup> Boice, pp. 17-20.
+
+<sup>37</sup> For a brief story of the first steps of New Seed SDA Church, see Kleber D. Gonçalves, “The Challenge of the Postmodern Condition to Adventist Mission in South America,” _Journal of Adventist Mission Studies 5_, no. 1 (2009): 14-16.
+
+<sup>38</sup> The first edition of the SigaMe forum (2014) was entitled “Essential Elements of Discipleship.” The discipleship elements explored were: communion, intentionality, community, obedience, service, submission, and transformation. In the subsequent years discipleship elements and themes were extracted from: “The Parables of Jesus” (2015); “The Lord’s Prayer” (2016); “A Church That Makes Disciples” (2017); “Mission Issues in the Contemporary Society” (2018).
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+title: "SigaMe (Follow Me): An Experience in Creating a Culture of Discipleship"
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+---
+title: Implementing a Mission Scorecard
+---
+
+_Anthony Wagenersmith, D.Min._
+
+During the first few years of my ministry I was more effective at getting new people into the church than at retaining them. New members were immersed in water without being immersed in a clear discipling process. And unfortunately, because there was not an intentional plan before and after baptism, several of these individuals and families are no longer part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church today. I was most certainly a product of my environment, having grown up and been trained in a paradigm in which baptism is the primary metric of success. Fortunately, there was a shift in my experience. I discovered that while baptism will always be a key milestone in the journey of evangelism and discipleship, it must be placed within the larger framework of mission. Developed in the trenches, refined through study, and adaptable to your context, what follows is a simple process to implement a mission scorecard in local churches.
+
+Specifically, this scorecard asks, What areas should our churches focus on both before and after baptism, and how might we measure it? Furthermore, how can such a process be adaptable to various contexts, contributing to a more wholistic culture around evangelism? A four-step process is recommended: start with biblical principles rather than best practices, identify what you will measure, create a functional scorecard, and celebrate culture change.
+
+### Start With Biblical Principles, Not Best Practices
+
+As with any initiative, it is essential to start with biblical principles rather than best practices. What follows are a few key concepts that speak to the “why” before the “how.”
+
+#### We Cannot Have the Retention of All Believers Without the Ministry of All Believers
+
+Jesus’ commission in Matthew 28:18-20—the most familiar of His five Great Commission communications (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8)—applies not only to the apostles but to all believers. While the exact sequence of these communications is debated, what emerges from these 40-day, post-Resurrection interactions is the larger body of believers whom Jesus instructed (Matthew 28:7-10; Luke 24:36-49; Acts 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:6). “The commission had been given to the twelve when Christ met with them in the upper chamber; but it was now to be given to a larger number. At the meeting on a mountain in Galilee, all the believers who could be called together [about 500] were assembled.”<sup>1</sup> Emphasizing how all believers are ordained to carry out the Great Commission, White continues:
+
+“The Savior’s commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time. It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister. All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men.”<sup>2</sup>
+
+Given the role that language plays in shaping culture, how might our terms of reference become synchronized with the ministry of all believers as taught in Scripture? The late British evangelist, writer, and preacher John Stott writes about such realignment that took place in his personal life around 1950:
+
+“We do a great disservice to the Christian cause whenever we refer to the pastorate as ‘the ministry,’ for by our use of the definite article we give the impression that the pastorate is the only ministry there is. . . . I repented of this view, and therefore of this language, about twenty-five years ago, and now invite my readers, if necessary, to join me in penitence.”<sup>3</sup>
+
+“Together, built upon Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone, all believers are living stones forming a new priesthood (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 2:20, 21; 1 Peter 2:4-6). Shifting our focus from holy places to holy people, the New Testament expects all believers to minister in all places.”<sup>4</sup>
+
+#### The Way We Come Into the Church Shapes the Way We Continue With the Church
+
+When new people join a church culture as consumers without contributing in meaningful ways before baptism, expecting them to minister actively after baptism is often foreign. In the New Testament, being baptized into Christ is not simply a change of status but one of identification and participation in the ministry of Christ’ suffering, death, and resurrection (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12). In the same way, being baptized into the body of Christ is about engagement with the mission of Christ, not merely a change in religious self-identification. We are all baptized into “one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NIV), of which we all have our parts to play (verses 14-31), based upon the various giftings we have received from the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:5). Indeed, the very act of “equipping” within this “one body” can be likened to setting a broken bone in place to restore functionality (Ephesians 4:4, 11-13, NIV).<sup>5</sup>
+
+What does this all mean for nurture and retention of new members? Put simply: since involvement with mission and ministry is a key predictor of member longevity, before baptism is an ideal time to begin incorporating this engagement and culture of service. If there is no pathway to such involvement before baptism, then becoming a member through baptism lacks the biblical involvement in ministry, forcing attempts to solve the problem on the back end.
+
+#### Church Growth Is God’s Job: Intentional Disciple-making Is Our Job
+
+Our belief in who grows the church has a direct effect on the retention of new believers. If we believe church growth is our job, then making members (not disciples) becomes the primary objective, rendering retention as a secondary consideration. Fortunately, Jesus clarified that the church belongs to Him and that He will grow His church (Matthew 16:18). This understanding is not only a safeguard from the adulation of human workers—only God can be praised for growth—but also creates an authentic and attractive culture, as new people are not treated as mere numbers. Our responsibility as ministers in God’s church (whether administrators, pastors, teachers, elders, etc.) is to make disciples. According to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, our mission imperative is to “make disciples” through the three participles (or means of): “going” (forming deep relationships in new places and among new people groups), “baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (immersion in water and the character of the triune God), and “teaching them to observe all things” (active obedience to the doctrines of Jesus Christ and Holy Scripture). If we will embrace our view as intentional disciple-makers, equipping and nurturing new people both before and after baptism, God will surely grow His church. As expressed by Ellen White in the context of all members being called to mission work: “God depends upon you, the human agent, to fulfill your duty to the best of your ability, and He Himself will give the increase.”<sup>6</sup> v.8, 189
+
+The primacy of making disciples over making members takes on an expanded significance when placed within the context of God’s end-time commandment-keeping people:
+
+“The Adventist Church has always claimed to be God’s remnant church, because it keeps all the commandments of God. Could it be that a church cannot claim to be the remnant church if it does not keep the commands of Christ as well? That would simply mean that to be God’s remnant, the church must be keeping the Great Commission, which demands the making of disciples as the primary aim of the mission of the church. Any church that is not doing so cannot claim to be the remnant. Such a disobedient church needs to repent of its omission—its failure to fulfill the Great Commission.”<sup>7</sup>
+
+#### Identify What You Will Measure
+
+Since God is responsible for the outcome, the church must develop new metrics other than outcomes. A key concept to stimulate thinking around what you will track is the difference between a lead measure and a lag measure. Lead measures are present-tense activities that are influenceable and predictive of future goals; lag measures tell us if those goals were reached, exist in the past, and cannot be changed.<sup>8</sup> While we will always measure outcomes, conventional church culture overemphasizes lag measures to the exclusion of lead measures. Here’s a chart illustrating this needed shift in a local church or conference:
+
+| | Lag Measure | Lead Measure |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| Baptisms | Number of people baptized | Number of people in baptismal class |
+| Financial Giving | Number of tithe and offering dollars given | Percent of family units actively giving |
+| Small Groups | Number of small groups meeting | Number of people being trained to become small group leaders |
+
+Only God can change the human heart and bring the outcomes. Our job (under His guidance and empowerment) is to make disciples as we bring clarity, priority, and accountability to the lead measures. Take time in your local church or conference to identify what lead measures you will focus on in the lives of new disciples both before and after baptism:
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Diagram](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-04-implementing-a-mission-scorecard/image.png)
+
+Through experience in adapting the mission scorecard to different contexts, here are three suggested lead measures for each side of the baptism experience in the lives of new people.
+
+#### Recommended Lead Measures Before Baptism
+
+- **_Relationship_**—What are the names of at least three members who have formed a deep and authentic friendship with the new person?
+
+- **_Ministry_**—What is the name of the ministry the new person serves on?
+
+- **_Theology_**—When did the new person start Bible studies and what was the date of the most recent study?
+
+A few notes on lead measures before baptism are important here. In terms of relationship, you might decide to track the names of individual members or the names of family units—which creates a culture of families on mission and brings young children into the task of disciple-making. Second, a close relationship means sharing real life outside of Sabbath worship or other official church events. In regard to ministry, common sense is in order here. While a local church does not ask unbaptized persons to preach and teach Sabbath School, they must create ministry opportunities that are immediate and intentional for new people (these vary based upon context). In regard to theology or Bible as a lead measure, intentional and regular Bible conversation and study places new people in a position for God to transform their heart in surrender toward baptism. Some churches excel at theology but fail miserably at relationship and ministry engagement before baptism. The other extreme thrives on friendships and involvement but minimizes our prophetic message as Adventists. It doesn’t have to be a sequential process; balance and a wholistic approach is key.
+
+#### Recommended Lead Measures After Baptism
+
+- **_Ministry_**—What is the name of the ministry the new member serves on?
+
+- **_Discipleship Path_**—How is the new member being equipped to live as a disciple?
+
+- **_Relationship_**—What is the name of a new person the member is relationally discipling?
+
+A few comments on lead measures after baptism. First, the specific ministries that every member serves on should be counted toward the goal of complete member involvement. Second, while a church’s discipleship path (or specific strategy for disciple-making) begins in a person’s life long before baptism, the specifics of what a church does are key to produce multiplication and disciple-making disciples. Track progress through this process or steps. Third, the name of someone the new member is relationally discipling creates a full circle, with the new member now becoming one of at least three individuals or family units forming authentic and intentional relationships with a new person. Nurture and retention is impacted positively through this process as new members continue in meaningful relationship, engagement with ministry, and deepening discipleship, and a clear sense of a larger purpose or mission. While the above recommendations must obviously be contextualized, it is essential to decide what you will measure both before and after baptism. Building upon the above, here’s a sample grid for the mission scorecard:
+
+### Create a Functional Scorecard
+
+With your key lead measures in place, it’s time to create and implement a functional scorecard. To accomplish this, think through four basic questions:
+
+#### What Group of Leaders Is Best Suited to Work With the Scorecard on a Regular Basis?
+
+Since the scorecard is an internal way to intentionally make sure new people not only join but stick with the church in full engagement, what specific team in the local church is best situated to have access to and work with the scorecard? Some common examples include the elder team, Sabbath School or small group leaders, church board, ministry leaders, evangelism planning council, etc. This is the group that needs to be involved in shaping what the lead measures will be, and taking an active part in its implementation.
+
+#### Who Will Be the Caretaker of the Scorecard?
+
+Once you have a designated group, you need a specific individual to be the caretaker of the scorecard. While anyone on the team will report and can update the scorecard, the caretaker is the primary person responsible to make sure it is updated and current (including adding or removing names). A common choice is the church secretary, a role with significant mission potential. Since they already track membership transfers and adjustments, being a caretaker of the scorecard enhances their role in tracking lead measures around becoming and retaining a fully engaged membership. Some churches have also selected their personal ministries leader as a caretaker. A temporary but meaningful option would be a Bible worker for an evangelistic effort, in which their primary purpose is not simply giving biblical studies with interested persons but ensuring the new people are connected to the lead measures you have decided on in advance.
+
+#### What Tool Will You Use to View and Update the Scorecard?
+
+The scorecard combines both the traditional “interest list” (those who are not yet members) and “inactive member list” (those who are technically members but have left or are often on the verge of leaving the church), placing them within a more wholistic context of disciple-making. In order to have a functional list that is easily viewable and updatable by your designated team, decide what tool will be best for you to use. One simple and free practice is to place your prebaptism and postbaptism lead measures on a spreadsheet, and have each of your team members download it onto a free spreadsheet app (such as Google Sheets) on their phones or computers; then each person can update it in live time. To shape intentional prayer and awareness of needs, it is important that the scorecard be both accessible and confidential among team members.
+
+#### How Will You Create a Healthy Rhythm of Accountability When Using the Scorecard?
+
+Now that you have identified your lead measures, the specific group and caretaker working with it, and how you will view and update the scorecard, it’s time to implement it. To create an ongoing culture (not merely one-off events) that prioritizes discipleship and retention, it is essential to create a rhythm of accountability for the team members working the scorecard. Gather your team regularly to pray over and give reports on the scorecard, either through integrating it into an existing meeting (elders, church board, small group leaders) or a scorecard-specific meeting. When you’re together, review the process, pray over the names, and ask (don’t tell) each team member what one thing they will do to move someone further along in the scorecard (either toward baptism or after baptism) before you meet next. Have the caretaker of the scorecard write down everyone’s commitments (“who does what by when”), including the person leading out. For example, if a new person is receiving Bible studies and has close relationships but is not yet involved in ministry, one commitment might be to introduce the new person to a ministry leader involved in an area of common interest before the next meeting. Then at the start of each meeting, ask team members to give a report on the commitments they made and how it went. This ensures a rhythm of built-in accountability in which following through becomes the norm, not the exception. While it’s true that all cultures handle accountability different, the engagement of team members in whom and how they are nurturing goes a long way.
+
+### Celebrate Culture Change
+
+The future of growth and retention will be realized in placing a greater emphasis on developing an evangelistic culture than on evangelistic programming. As changes begin happening, celebrate how the Lord is changing your culture. The implementation and impact of a mission scorecard carries with it the retention of new members as a consequence of wholistic evangelism and intentional disciple-making. In light of the massive membership losses in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, it has been observed in many settings that what we are facing is fundamentally a discipleship—not a retention—issue. The scorecard is simply one of many ways to address the disease rather than the symptoms. Further opportunities to assess and address a church’s culture—what people feel and experience when they connect with a church—also contribute to courageously approaching this issue in practical ways. And yet, while strategies and scorecards do indeed have their place, God’s church is fundamentally a spiritual organism, not an organization. Programdriven views of the church create programmatic solutions. And unfortunately, there are ultimately no administrative solutions to the spiritual problems of how we treat others both before and after baptism. May the same Lord who promised the accompaniment of His Spirit to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV) transform our hearts to honor Him in stewardship of the millions of precious souls who will join or are part of the Adventist movement.
+
+_Anthony WagenerSmith is associate director at the NAD Evangelism Institute and a professor of Christian Ministry at the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He pastored and planted churches in both urban and rural contexts, has a doctorate in missional church planting, and facilitates equipping experiences across North America. His wife, Liánro, is a school psychologist, and they have two children, Levi, 10, and Sage, 8)._
+
+DISCIPLING, NURTURING, AND RECLAIMING
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Desire of Ages_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898, 1940), p. 818.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ibid., p. 822.
+
+<sup>3</sup> J.R.W. Stott and C.J.H. Wright, _Christian Mission in the Modern World_, updated and expanded ed. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2015), p. 55.
+
+<sup>4</sup> A. WagenerSmith, “Urban Church Planting: Three Functional Shifts From the New Testament,” _Journal of Adventist Mission Studies 15_, no. 1 (2019): 118-133.
+
+<sup>5</sup> J. Strong, _Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible_, updated and expanded ed. (Peabody, Mass.: Henderson Publishers, Inc., 2007).
+
+<sup>6</sup> Ellen G. White, _Manuscript Releases_ (Silver Spring, Md.: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990), vol. 8, p. 190.
+
+<sup>7</sup> R. Burrill, _Radical Disciples for Revolutionary Churches_ (Fallbrook, Calif.: Hart Research Center, 1996), p. 51.
+
+<sup>8</sup> C. McChesney and S. Covey, _The Four Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals_ (New York: Free Press, 2016).
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+title: Implementing a Mission Scorecard
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+---
+title: What Did Jesus Do to Become the Communicational Impact of History?
+---
+
+_Marcos Antonio Salas Núñez_
+
+### Introduction
+
+Jesus is the perfect combination between being and doing: His personality and His character were one. The great work that Jesus did was the result of the greatness of His character. And this teaches us that success in mission depends on two aspects that the Holy Spirit controls in us, a character in transformation and strategies based on inspired principles.
+
+Matthew 4 begins by presenting Jesus alone in the desert and ends by saying that crowds went after Him. Was it a product of a miracle? the result of a strategy? both? What principles in this chapter can help the Seventh-day Adventist Church in its eschatological mission? How can we implement the success of Jesus as the key to the consolidation of the members of our church?
+
+### Christ, His Character
+
+Most Christians intellectually believe in the power of God to work miracles. Resuscitating the dead, healing the sick, or feeding crowds must have been instruments to powerfully draw people’s attention. Logically we can conclude that Jesus based His ministry on these divine acts, but it was not so. The vindication of God’s character in the universe and the salvation of the fallen race required much more than momentary solutions. The success of Jesus was rooted in His character and strategies based on invincible principles. In the face of the end of the great conflict we need, as never before, to dig with prayer and determination in this chapter of Matthew and learn from Jesus how to overcome the Great Babylon, thus fulfilling what is written.
+
+#### Jesus Allowed Himself to Be Led by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 4:1.
+
+In the earthly experience of our Master we find that He understood the role of the Holy Spirit in the dosage of confrontation with evil. He knew that it is necessary for the integral development of His people because it helps us to take away our trust in us and put it in God. Matthew tells us that after His baptism Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil, as is the case with all Christians. In order to understand the reason God the Spirit has to do this, we need to understand what He is looking for when we decide to work with Him. As expressed by Jesus in Mark 12:29-31, 33, God seeks that we love Him above all, that we love ourselves properly and love our neighbor in the light of the plan of salvation. Most Christians have a hard time accepting this. Hence the “eternal” dispute between the concepts of salvation by faith or works. If we try to pay attention to God, we will accept that once we have been baptized, anything God allows or does in our life seeks to develop in us love. Even the confrontation with evil has this objective. The Holy Spirit had this in mind when He led Jesus into the desert. Whether He takes us to Patmos, to the desert to meet a stranger, or to visit a desperate widow in Sarepta, He is looking for us to have experiences that teach us to love, so that we have the seal or character of God and so the world can recognize us as His children.
+
+#### Jesus Knows Who He Is. Matthew 4:3, 5, 6.
+
+After His baptism, the first two temptations enticed Jesus to doubt His condition. In both, the tempter began by saying, “If You are the Son of God” (Matthew 4:3), inviting Jesus to question His personal condition. In baptism we are adopted into the family of God; we are made children of God. From then on, everything that happens to us is for our good, as the apostle Paul declares in Romans 8:28. Although this is true and legal, it does not mean that Satan will leave without fighting for what until then was his domain. He knows that our carnal nature will constantly lead us to seek our salvation in a selfish way, based on the I, not on Jesus. That is why Jesus wants us to believe not what appearances dictate, but what His Word says about what we are thanks to Him. He also warns us that in the time of the end many false christs will come, and there will be a constant attack on His Divine-human personality.
+
+God wants us to think of ourselves as Laodiceans that, thanks to Him, become the 144,000. It is true that our church today wants to vomit God. That is why we so easily find faults that lead us to disunity. The same situation faced Jesus with the church of His time, however, He never stopped considering the church as the girl of His eyes, the object of His greatest care. He warned us with the parable of the 10 virgins that all would fall asleep, although five were ready by the time the bridegroom arrived. That is the reason to teach our new brothers to know that we are Laodiceans in the process of becoming the 144,000. Show them that God is working with us to make our life His perfect work. No defeatism or triumphalism. We are the militant church, a movement with a mission.
+
+#### Jesus Combined the Scriptures With Prayer and Mission. Matthew 4: 4, 7, 10.
+
+Whoever reads the Bible without a clear mission will soon stop doing so or will become an obstacle in the God’s work. Most Christians walk through their lives without practicing the only things that give the Holy Spirit time to transform our character. Satan is interested in staying in the church, and without a vital connection with God as we will become a bad witness of the gospel. For a vital and transformative relationship with Jesus, we need God to speak to us, to listen to us, and to walk with us. He speaks to us through His Word, He listens to us through prayer, and He walks with us while we attack evil on this earth. In order to support children, young, new, and old in the faith, it is important to have at least the Bible and their Sabbath School study guide. In addition, we must help them with a personal study plan. New members need trained and experienced older members to help them search their needs in the biblical “menu.” Pastors and elders must be experts in this matter.
+
+New members find challenges when they agree to study the Bible. Some Old Testament books have “boring” portions that must be studied with a keen intention to be assimilated. In their first love the new ones in the faith read the Pentateuch, the first five books of Moses. When they begin to face some not very rosy aspects of their new lives and of the church and they have to read books like Chronicles and others that have a style that requires some “chronologies” that may jeopardize their interest in studying, they are likely to take refuge in exclusively studying the Sabbath School study guide, which may also contain confusing elements for their new faith. That is why some propose that the new in faith should first study the Gospels to get to know Jesus better before entering into the other biblical portions. Whatever the case, we need to have a group that personally takes care of the new members so that they receive the spiritual nurture they need.
+
+This process should include teaching about prayer. How nice would it be if the new ones in the faith based their prayers on what they had read that day, in addition to other things that they want to talk to God about, such as mission. The mission challenges us, creates the need for guidance from God and to ask Him on how to solve challenges. As a consequence, we gradually come to love God and our neighbor.
+
+#### Jesus’ Mission Was Above His Personal Interests. Matthew 4:8-11.
+
+As it has already been said, mission is what unites us to God and gives meaning to our devotional lives. Jesus calls us to be fishers. It includes that He wants to give us a successful life, having as its focus the work that we do with Him in the great conflict. An essential element that the new members must learn is that their secular work is given by God to sustain themselves, but the mission is what they really are. We should all come to think like fishers. Some of us have to catch small fish and others large fish, using different means. When someone asked Jesus, “Who are you?” He responded in different ways that He was the Messiah, the Savior of humanity. He never said He was a carpenter, although this profession is very honorable.
+
+The Bible says that when Jesus was victorious, “angels came and served Him” (Matthew 4:11). When our role in the plan of salvation is our reason to be, which gives us meaning and we live for it, God is committed so that our sustenance is assured. Imagine a small group and a congregation that works in this way. The apostle to the Gentiles tells us that God established some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). In fact, the church of Antioch worked like that at the time when the Spirit chose Paul to send to the Gentile world to preach the gospel.
+
+In the description of Ephesians 4 the Spirit tells us that in the church there are four main divisions of fishers. Apostles are called and trained to be specialists in the search for strategies to bring children, youth, and adults to the feet of Jesus. Today we call this group biblical instructors. The prophets, the older members, are specialists in creating and developing ways to sustain new members in the faith. They use the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Church Manual, and other instruments of God to edify the new members. Evangelists, now called lay preachers, are called and adapted to evangelize crowds. Pastors or teachers are the specialists in teaching everyone. That is why today we call them lay instructors. All departments and ministries of the church must contain these main groups, from which any number of ministries and functions we need in the church are derived. The reason these are the four main general ministries is that ultimately our duty in the church is to win, consolidate, preach, and teach.
+
+### Christ, His Plan and Execution
+
+If the first law of heaven is order, it should be the same in the case of Jesus. Those born in the kingdom of God are born as missionaries, or fishers. That statement implies a plan and a structure for its implementation. That is why Jesus had to follow the plan devised before the foundation of the world, a plan that has a personal dimension for each one and a general one that includes all those immersed in the great conflict. In this section we will analyze the plan that made Jesus the event of His time and eternity, and, above all, we will seek our Lord in prayer to implement these principles.
+
+#### Jesus Had a Plan. Matthew 4:12.
+
+“When Jesus heard . . .” is a very interesting biblical expression. It manifests planning, to expect something planned to happen to move to a new stage. The time had come to move from near anonymity to the explosion of salvation. God and the world are waiting for the same to occur with the remnant.
+
+As a church we have an inspired, logical, and effective structure. It is perfectible and should be reviewed, but it has been effective in leading us to be one of the fastest expanding churches. The biggest challenge is at the local church. We must take care of some concepts that confuse the Lord’s flock, such as the one that places the main emphasis on baptizing and not on discipling, or the one that says we do not like to baptize, because we seek quality and not quantity. Our mission is to have disciples in whom your love for God and your neighbor grows every day thanks to the study of the Bible, prayer, and the fulfillment of your ministry. If we do not baptize, we will not have disciples; so planning must encompass discipleship.
+
+Jesus teaches us that the challenge in mission is what makes structure and integration necessary. The unity, love, and financial investment of the church come as a result of the mission plan. God expects us to teach how to work in an organized way, and that the organizational structure will help us so that all members, including the new ones, have a personal plan to implement their ministry. Of course, this plan has everything to do with the small groups plan and that of the congregation. We are not referring only to a calendar of activities; we are talking about a five-year and annual strategic plan and an annual mission project. Our educational institutions must make pastors aware of the fundamental principles of planning and finance. The new ones in the faith must arrive at a people group that knows what it is doing, which little by little will guide them in such a way that that they will be able to fulfill their function within the mission planning and project. This is consolidation.
+
+#### Jesus Sought a Strategic Location. Matthew 4:13, 14.
+
+The first part of Jesus’ strategy was to get to the right place. He chose Capernaum for several important reasons that we will analyze shortly. The location tells us what we will give most importance to, as it establishes what or whom we are looking for. We tend to work in our comfort zone, which we have already reached and which represents the least amount of effort to survive. Today Jesus encourages us again to leave Nazareth and go to Capernaum to be able to make healthy disciples.
+
+Capernaum was the city of Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew, the disciples. It was one of the three cities that Jesus cursed at the end of His earthly ministry for its lack of faith. Jesus had a prophetic reason to choose it as the center of His work, as what was said by the prophet Isaiah should be fulfilled. This characteristic is very important in planning, because it is the one that gives the passion and the reason to fulfill the mission. When the planning is based on a writing, we have all the necessary support to insist until we successfully crown our plan. Our mission is impossible to accomplish if God does not intervene. That is why we need the members to see that it is God who determines the place, which is what drives us and always keeps advancing by faith, outside our comfort zone. The new one in the faith must know that it is not by their strength or ability, it is by working with the Holy Spirit that their will successfully fulfill the mission among their family, friends, and strangers. The same must be seen in all the church estates. It must be seen that our motto as a movement is to move forward, to extend our stakes because God says in His Word that we can reach the whole world with our message. To all—rich, poor, secularized, and of all religions.
+
+The second reason Jesus chose Capernaum was that it was located on the “sea road,” because it was a “maritime city” (Matthew 4:13-15). With this description the Bible tells us that Jesus made His planning on the trade route that linked Mesopotamia with Egypt through Palestine. The first was the main area of the Asian continent, and the second that of the African continent. All those who came from Europe also passed through there. So it was a city with a privileged location so that most of the known world could understand the plan of salvation. Jesus based His planning on the lost, not on the ones already in the kingdom. That is why Jesus became the world event of history: He wanted to impact the whole world. One of the great Adventist inconsistencies is that we say things that we do not support with our facts. We educate our missionaries and pastors for people who live for a long time in “university bubbles,” whose center is the one in the kingdom. Many times we invest the greatest amount of our resources to sustain what we have, and forget about the lost. Many churches make their planning with the intent of keeping their membership attending church services and giving their tithes and offerings. We are creating a defensive culture, not an offensive one. Jesus understood what many sports technicians know today is the key to success; the best defense is the attack. How many blessings are invested for our churches: great preachers, extraordinary music, master classes, and colorful and even special art manifestations. Everything within our comfort zones. Jesus today sends us to think about the places where the greatest quantity of people are. That is the best way to consolidate our new and old members, asking as the widow of the parable the blessing of God, with insistence to bring the gospel to all.
+
+“Capernaum” today requires from us education and creativity. Let’s not continue comparing ourselves with the neighboring churches, presenting beautiful programs that have as the ultimate intent the program and not the human being. Commercial companies have a fierce war among them for the conquest of consumer interest. Those who conform to what has been achieved and live on their past glories are doomed to extinction. Hence the need to educate church ministries leaders, and the need for departments or specialists in all levels to educate church members to go out as an army to meet people. As the prophecies say, the united education with a creativity directed by the Holy Spirit will make a dent in the enemy protections until their complete destruction.
+
+The next reason Jesus chose Capernaum was that it was an important city in “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Matthew 4:15). The first reasons had to do with a strategic area; the latter has to do with people who lived in that place. After the deportation of the 10 northern Israelite tribes by the Assyrians, this land was repopulated by “Gentile” people. In Jesus’ day many Jews had settled there, but they were populations with large numbers of descendants of Gentiles. It is reiterated in this way that it is the lost and not those in the faith who are the objective of the mission of Jesus and the church, so that we can become the salt and light of the world. That is why it was written, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16, NIV).
+
+#### Jesus Had a Clear and Expansive Message. Matthew 4:17.
+
+Jesus’ message is: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (NIV). Which leads us to ask ourselves, What does it mean to “repent”? And what did Jesus mean when He said that the kingdom of heaven has come near?
+
+The message of Jesus and that of John the Baptist was one and the same (Matthew 3:2). We find that both preaching led people to be baptized and confess their sins, which was unusual in those times because being part of God’s people assumed that circumcision was their “baptism,” or entry into the kingdom of God and that the sanctuary system was the way to confess their sins. Of course, neither John nor Jesus were against these two sacred teachings of God’s covenant with His people. Something that can shed light on the reason for this change is found on the time in which John confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees when they came to be baptized. Instead of congratulating them on their decision, he called them a “brood of vipers” (verse 7). John wanted to know who had taught them to flee from the wrath to come (verse 7) and where their “fruits worthy of repentance” (verse 8) were. Instead, they were protecting themselves, thinking they were children of Abraham. The Pharisees had not learned from anyone, because they considered themselves so good that they felt them had no need for that. Much less were they interested in changing their lives or thinking that anger was coming; they wanted to continue exactly with their positions and behavior and hope that their social and economic condition would improve with the coming of the Messiah. They wanted to be baptized to have all the necessary requirements to achieve well-being in this world.
+
+The message of John and that of Jesus were the same of the sanctuary, humble repentance before God to be saved. That is why the veil had five colors. They represented the five main characteristics that the Messiah would have: purity (white), crimson (atoning sacrifice), purple (domain), gold (control of the Holy Spirit), and blue (divinity). They were to be taught and led by the Messiah to flee the wrath of God. They had to be “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5) in order to enter the kingdom of God. They should take the yoke of Jesus, an attitude of sacrifice in the face of need, to let the Holy Spirit change their lives and thus be able to bear the fruits of someone who is following the Messiah. That is why the sacrificial altar was located first, and then the lavatory. They could not be baptized, the lavatory, without first being willing to be taught and to sacrifice themselves to have a character like Jesus’, as represented by the sacrificial altar.
+
+Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we are all like the Pharisees and Sadducees. That is why John and Jesus call for repentance and its fruits. Nothing we are or do saves us from the wrath to come. We need to repent, to say, accept, believe, and work according to what is established by Jesus. In practice this is being willing to be taught, to understand the plan of salvation as it is in the Scriptures and to accept that plan when baptized. At that moment, having been justified by becoming children of God, we have escaped the wrath to come. From there, sanctification begins. We remain open to divine guiding and to the changes He wants to generate in us. There is no condemnation, because we are in Christ; there is only constant transformation and to be filled with that love that makes our salvation possible.
+
+At this point we must ask ourselves: How are we Adventists known? Some believe that we are not evangelical, which means we teach a way of salvation without Jesus. They say that we do not eat pork, we do not work or play on Saturdays, we do not dance, we do not use alcohol or coffee, we do not eat meat, and that we were organized by the teachings of Ellen White. We must recognize that the public in some places does not have a clear picture of our message. We do not want to discredit the importance of the things for which they know us, but perhaps we need to make a clearer presentation of the extraordinary evangelical message that we have, as Revelation 14 states. The answer could be found in the next part of Jesus’ message: “the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17, NIV).
+
+So that we could all understand the gospel, Jesus, the kingdom of God, approached us. Jesus was a friend of the people, of the bad and of the “good.” It related to the “vetoed” of the congregations. That is why today He sends us to approach pastors and priests of other denominations, including the pope, the presidents of the nations, nuns and homosexuals, the stinkers and others with whom it is not easy to relate. We are so worried in our congregations about the type of music, the haircut, and other things that could be important that we run out of energy to implement the method of Christ. We must be a church in which everyone can worship and feel free to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, while He gives patience to the old woman who criticizes us or us who criticize her. While this happens within, outside we must have more selfless but intentional community service. Our service of friendship must be selfless because the goal is to be friends with the sinner so that when they need Jesus we can show Him to them. We lose a lot when we approach people only because we want them to be Adventists. Some even think that we should not have some kind of relationship with the “mundane.” If this were so, how could we be salt? Therefore, our friendship with the worldly must be intentional, to seek to save the sinner. That is why we pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us to find ways to present Jesus to our friends. Regardless of whether they accept Him or not, we must be intentional at presenting Jesus. Whether they accept or not, they must remain a person who considers us in a good way. But if they do accept Jesus, then we will have one more friend in our church.
+
+#### Jesus Had a Team, a Small Group. Matthew 4:18-22.
+
+A leader without followers and a plan without people who benefit is absurd. That is why Jesus sought friends to share the gospel and the blessings that this entails. Simon Peter and Andrew, his brother, were the first disciples He encountered. Then He met the brothers James and John, who were in the boat that belonged to their father, Zebedee. From here two important points in ecclesiastical administration emerge. First, Jesus sought two adults and two young men as His first disciples. This is understood because Peter and Andrew used fishing nets that belonged to them, and the two others were working with what belonged to their father. The second aspect is that Jesus called them in pairs.
+
+Jesus worked with adults and young people because He knew they are complementary groups. Adults have the experience, and young people have enthusiasm and new ideas. This combination is noted in the Gospels, Jesus utilizing one group to enrich the other. If the newly baptized is a child, youth, or adult, they should feel that they now belong to a small group, congregation, and other organizational strata that are wise enough to know that we not only have the same importance, but that we are all necessary. That there is room for dialogue and that opinion is respected. That participation of anyone who wants to participate is allowed, both in the planning and execution. The challenges we face as a church are so impressive that none of the generations can disregard the participation of the other under penalty of being disadvantaged.
+
+Jesus came to establish a system that has as its fundamental nucleus a group of 12 people. God through Jethro prescribed it to Moses and there laid the success of the desert people. This is so important that when Paul was converted, he did not need any man to explain the evangelical message, but he did need to understand the role of the group as a fundamental part of the structure. Jesus established the small group into the DNA of the Christian church so that it would be possible to baptize thousands without building temples and to continue growing without structural problems. If there is a small group that takes care of its members and has a plan with which it works with other groups and with the congregation, then there is no need to fear. Members go to the congregation to receive spiritual benefits, although they receive the essential in their small group.
+
+The other aspect that was intertwined with this axis of the structure is the missionary couple. Jesus divided the groups into pairs so that in the implementation each one had a mega friend and friends. Everyone needs someone to temper it in good times and bad. The missionary couple has functions that the small group and the congregation cannot exercise, just as they have blessings that the missionary couple lacks. That is why Jesus worked with all ages, in small groups and as a missionary couple. That is why He was so calm when He ascended. He told them to wait for the Father’s promise, knowing that once they received it they would succeed, because they had learned the basis of the structure. That’s how He turned them into fishers.
+
+The church must have a worship service to train, and moments in all worship services and departments to do so. Sabbath School should serve as a platform for each small group to participate in the program and have enough time to study the Bible, to be updated with the missionary strategies to be implemented, to support missions and for fellowship. The mission segment can be used for training and as a showcase for each department to report on their missionary work. An evening worship can be a training school, and sermons must have a little more teaching to accompany the actions of the congregation.
+
+#### Jesus Met the People With the Gospel Where They Were.
+
+Jesus undertook with His disciples a very particular type of instruction, educating them with His words and with His example, inviting them to practice what they learned. He was surprised by the sun while talking to His Father and the Holy Spirit to refine the details of the new day. While they got ready and ate, He weaved His teachings with His actions while filling His friends’ minds with faith. He was teaching us that all we do is evangelism. To preach of His love since we wake up in the morning, at work, in class, as fishers. Although special moments to go out to evangelize may exist, and we need them, our life is the most powerful testimony of what God wants to do with humanity. That means that Jesus traveled through “all of Galilee” to live in our territory and to expand by the fame that our testimony brings to the name of God, and by territorial progress. The disciples touched the hearts of rich and poor wherever they arrived.
+
+An important biblical and missionary detail is the phrase “In their synagogue.” As the apostle Paul did later, Jesus prayed and worked, looking for receptive people. From the moment a person is born, the Spirit of God tries to win them for His kingdom. During the rest of that life God will do what is necessary for them to accept the plan of salvation. Humans are unable to know how close someone is to accepting Jesus, but God does. When they went to the synagogues, they went to the place where there were people who had the knowledge and the desire to be with God. The Missionary Project starts by putting members to pray for people they know and want to see in the heavenly homeland. Prayer does not change God; it changes the ones who pray and awakens love for the lost, allowing God to fill them with skills and ideas to approach that person. God is the one who levels our intensity by being friendly to the people, telling us when it is time to speak to them, inviting them to the activities of the small group or the congregation and when we confront them with the decision to give their heart to Jesus. We must know that there are moments in our lives that sensitize us spiritually. So with prayer and being friendly, we will be intentional in expressing our love in times of need that the people for whom we are praying have. A death, loss of work, birth of a baby, a disease, among many other situations, can be triggers for someone to establish an eternal relationship with their Creator.
+
+Under the direction of the Spirit we can use the three main ways to reach people’s hearts: Teaching, preaching, and healing. It is good that we have several instruments to achieve this, an informal conversation, a Bible study, a special event of the small group or the congregation. That is the reason we should be intentionally evangelistic in doing the planning and calendar of the congregation. Human beings work better in cycles, so we must implement in the year activities of approach, sowing the truth, and others to harvest and consolidate. Approach activities can be: Christmas, ADRA collection, music concerts, culinary courses. Youth and children’s clubs and other departments can do social, sports, and cultural activities. The objective of these activities is to show that we are a friendly, pleasant, and positive church, as our God is. The Adventist Church should be recognized for its Christ-centered and prophetic message based on the celestial sanctuary that includes the investigative judgment, for the prohealth reform message, and for being an institution that works for the family. Each of these activities should end with an invitation to other activities, and to introduce planting activities and biblical courses.
+
+Sowing can be a Week of Emphasis on the family, or a Week of Emphasis on health. With these activities we seek that people be taught, or for them receive the preaching of the gospel, satisfying their basic needs. The intent of these activities is to get people interested in Bible studies. Then will the harvest-consolidation events come. We recommend the union of these two aspects because experience tells us that when we dedicate time exclusively to consolidation, the old part of the Lord’s army can enter a dangerous territory and, above all, as Jesus did, the only way to consolidate newcomers is putting them to work for others. At this stage we find small group, ministerial, youth, and other campaigns. It would be good to divide the ecclesiastical year into two, each with its time for approach, sowing, and harvest-consolidation activities. Thus we will have the opportunity to teach, preach, and heal integrally those who decide to submit themselves to the work of the Holy Spirit.
+
+#### Jesus Spread His Fame.
+
+In conclusion, the Bible says that Jesus’ fame reached Syria, Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the other side of the Jordan. It reached those places because His goal was to teach His disciples to work with His method; after His departure they would have time to go to the whole world.
+
+_Marcos Antonio Salas Núñez has a degree in theology, having graduated from the Adventist University of Colombia in 1987. In 2005 he graduated with a master’s in pastoral theology from SETAI, an educational institution of the Inter-American Division. He worked as a district pastor in the Eastern Venezuelan Union from 1988 to 2000. Then he served as the ministerial secretary in the department of personal ministries and president of the Central Venezuelan Association from 2001 to 2011. From 2011 until 2015 Núñez worked in the department of personal and communication ministries as well. Since 2016 he has directed the Hispanic district located in Saint Maarten of the North Caribbean Conference in the Caribbean Union._
+
+_* Unless otherwise noted, Bible texts in this article are from the New King James Version._
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+title: The Reclamation of Discipleship as the Primary Missional Focus in the Seventh-day Adventist® Church
+---
+
+_Tim Madding, D.Min._
+
+My hope is to give you some things to think about as you process discipleship in your sphere of influence, in your church, in your ministry context. The title of this presentation supposes that discipleship is not the primary missional focus in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I am of the assumption that it is not, but it should be, and I’ll explain what I mean by that.
+
+The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church comes from the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, 20. Here Jesus Christ says to “go . . . and make disciples” (verse 19).<sup>1</sup> I believe that our mission as a Seventh-day Adventist Church is to make disciples. That is our mission. That is our purpose. Everything that we do, the reason that we exist, is for the purpose of making disciples. I also believe that this is not where our focus has been, at least not recently. Over the past few decades, it has not been that focus. Our focus has been on programming and baptisms.
+
+Let me explain . . . You measure what you value. This is demonstrated when we talk about a ministry scorecard. A scorecard is a measurement that which you value. We typically in the church (local and among the leadership) value programs and baptisms. That’s what we measure. I’ve worked at the conference level, both on the executive committee and as a ministerial director. When we’d sit down and plan out the year, it’s a lot about programming. When we evaluate the success or effectiveness of a pastor and/or church, it’s baptisms. Those are the things that we like to measure to determine if we’re successful.
+
+So when we have a program in a church, and many churches will have programs throughout this Easter season, whether it’s a success or not will be based on the number of people who come to the program. Did the program go well; did a lot of people come out? “That was a success; let’s do it again.” What made it a success? Everything went well, everybody had a good time, and there were a lot of people present. That tells us that the program is our purpose—it is our mission. Not how many people came to Christ, how many people grew in Christ, how many people grew in their relationship with God, a relationship with others, etc. Discipleship was not the value—it was the program.
+
+Or baptisms. Throughout the North American Division and throughout the world church, baptisms are something that we measure. In fact, there are places where you cannot be ordained as a pastor unless you’ve had a certain number of baptisms, and pastors can be let go or fired in certain divisions in our world church if they don’t acquire a certain number of baptisms. There’s a whole ethical side to that issue, as to whether they’re ethically getting disciples versus the number of baptisms.
+
+So it has to be about discipleship. Discipleship is our mission. It is our purpose. A disciple is someone who is a follower of the precepts, instructions, and life of an individual. A disciple of Jesus Christ is someone who follows the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. What did Jesus teach? He taught about the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God. What does that mean? How does that apply to people? There is teaching involved with that.
+
+But also the life of Jesus Christ—how He lived, how He demonstrated the character of the Father, what He did with His time, and how He treated others should be prevalent in the life of the believer. If I were to define it, I would say that a disciple is a follower of Jesus’ teachings and life that is actively making disciples of others. When Jesus Christ gave the Great Commission, when He said, “Go and make disciples,” He was telling the disciples to go and make disciples. A disciple is someone who believes what Jesus believes, lives what Jesus lived, and is actively making other disciples of Jesus Christ as well.
+
+So our mission and our focus should be for people to understand what Jesus taught, how he lived. They’re growing in that belief. Theology is important. They’re growing in that lifestyle. They’re living like Jesus. They’re loving their neighbors the way Jesus loves their neighbors. They’re sacrificing themselves, giving of themselves, putting themselves out for the benefit of other people. But they are also actively discipling other people in Jesus Christ. If they are not actively discipling others, then are they a true follower of Jesus? Are they living the life that Jesus lived? Are they fulfilling the mission of making disciples if they’re not making disciples?
+
+That’s what we need to be pushing against. Discipleship is a journey, not a destination. And I say this because oftentimes we work so hard in our church to acquire baptisms. I do an evangelistic series almost every year. I’ve got one planned later this month that we’re doing, so I believe in public evangelism. I believe in the three angels’ messages and preach them often. I’m preaching on that in a few weeks. But we spend so much time, so much money, so much effort, to hold an event of meetings, a program of meetings, so that people become baptized, and then we’re done. Our focus was on the event, the program.
+
+OK, one more thing, and then I’ll be done with this. We focus so much on the event and the planning that we miss out on what real discipleship is: people growing in Christ, developing that lifestyle of following Jesus Christ. We say, “OK, you’re baptized, now you’re a member of the church,” and what do we do to help them continue to grow? What are we intentionally doing? Now, are we intentional about people being baptized? Absolutely. We have all the programs, all the resources available, for that, but then what? Well, we have a few things here, a few things there, but at the local church, are we as intentional about this journey of discipleship?
+
+The second important principle to understand in discipleship is that discipleship happens through relationships, not programming. Let me illustrate this. Note Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
+
+Now, we refer to this a lot to say you need to come to church, and that’s part of “assembling together.” What you see in this context is a group of people that are in relationship together to help each other in their faith, to strengthen each other in their faith so that they don’t fall backwards, they continue moving forward, they continue growing in their understanding of who God is, in what it means to live like Jesus lived, and to disciple other people.
+
+This is a process of growth that is occurring happens through relationships. Everywhere in the Bible we see discipleship happening by God using one person to use another. Jesus said to Saul, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Saul had this aha moment. He had hundreds of questions. And what we do not see Jesus doing is sitting down along the curb of that street and saying, “Let Me explain it all to you.” No, He sends him to a believer, because that discipleship process happens through relationships. “After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing” (John 3:22). How did Jesus disciple? He spent time with His disciples. That’s how He discipled. It has to be through relationships; it has through spending time with them.
+
+This Greek word for spending time means to rub against. When you rub against somebody, you start to rub off on them. Every once in a while I have to take my suit in and get it cleaned, because typically my shoulders get all this makeup on them, because all the nice older women in the church always have to give me their hugs on Sabbath morning. And after a while my whole shoulder is just covered in makeup. They’re rubbing off on me. This is what Jesus is doing. By spending time with them, He’s rubbing off on them.
+
+So when we’re talking about discipleship, it doesn’t happen through programming—it happens by people being in a relationship together, intentional relationships of moving people forward. I believe that just as intentional as we are about an evangelistic series, about people coming to baptism, we need to be intentional about our discipleship path, what it means to be in discipleship. The key is to understand that we are moving people from wherever they are into a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ.
+
+Ellen White said this: “The members of the church should give diligent attention to the Word of God, that they may understand their duty, and then labor with all their energies of mind and heart to make their church one of the most prosperous in the land.”<sup>2</sup> Now, I don’t think when she says that our church would be the most prosperous in the land that she meant it to be the biggest church, the wealthiest church, coated in gold and diamonds. I think what she means when she talks about being the most prosperous in the land is that it is the most influential, the church of the greatest Christian influence in the community.
+
+And that happens only through focusing on discipleship. I think what Ellen White is calling us to do is fall down on our knees, to pray, to study, to research, and to ask ourselves how we can be most effective at accomplishing what Jesus Christ has called us to do: to be making disciples.
+
+There is this spiritual receptivity scale developed by James F. Engel, often referred to as the Engel scale. This spiritual receptivity scale is a way of representing the journey from no knowledge of God to spiritual maturity as Christian believer.
+
+**-10**---------------------**0**---------------------**+10**
+
+Zero, the center of the scale, represents baptism. The far left of the scale represents those people who are not yet with Christ, and the right of the scale represents those people who are growing in Christ. So to the far extreme left at negative 10 are those people that are either hostile toward God or have absolutely no knowledge of God whatsoever, as they continue to grow from negative 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Zero is a place a baptism, surrendering their heart, falling on their knees, and giving their lives fully into the lordship of Jesus Christ. Then they begin growing in Christ, positive 1, 2, 3, all the way up to positive 10, where we see the image of Jesus Christ fully reflected in the life of the individual.
+
+Everything we do as a church is to move people wherever they are on this scale, up the scale one step at a time. So where are you at? Where do you see yourself on this scale? You see yourself at a positive 1, positive 2—positive 6, maybe? Do you think God is happy with you staying at positive 6, or do you think He wants you to grow to positive 7? What are we as a church doing to help you grow to a positive 7? What about your neighbors that might be down at a negative 5 or 6? What can we do to help them to move from there up the scale, one step at a time?
+
+Everything we do as a church should be to move people wherever they are on the scale up one step at a time. That is discipleship. And we are doing it intentionally. We’re not spending massive amounts of money, mass amounts of effort, to pull off a program that lasts four to six weeks. We baptize 20, 30, 40, 60 people and then say, “All right, we’re done. Now we can just get back to church as normal,” which is just a bunch of regular programs to entertain the members. Because then what happens is we get all these people baptized, and then they’re gone. They’re not staying. They’re not connected. Why? Because we put so much energy into them to coming to the place of baptism but nothing after that.
+
+So how do we do that? We need to be thinking steps versus programs. When we’re thinking discipleship, we think of steps, not programs. If someone is coming to Christ, what are the steps that take place from a place of somebody who doesn’t yet have a relationship with Christ toward the image of Christ being fully reflected in the life of the individual? And as a church, you need to wrestle with that. You need to take the time praying it through and saying, What are the steps that happen in the life of the individual to get from where they are to where God has called them to be? A program is a system of services, opportunities, or projects, usually designated to meet a social need. Steps, on the other hand, are a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.
+
+We’re looking to move people one step at a time in their relationship with God, so what are the steps that we identify as a church? Baptism is one of those steps. Often the first step in the process of discipleship is the public proclamation and a decision that they have made in their heart. When we develop these steps, every step should be easy. Not to say surrendering your life to Jesus Christ is easy, but the opportunity for them to make that decision should be provided for them. They shouldn’t have to go through a series of obstacle courses to figure out what they need to do to get baptized. What do I need to do to start Bible studies, get baptized, join the church, etc.? Every step should be obvious.
+
+Everybody, wherever they are, should know their next step in discipleship is this—whether they are new to your church or have been a member for years. Somebody who has just started coming to your church should know, when they are ready to take their next step, what it is. They should know what those steps are. Every step should be strategic. It should be designed to help them grow in their relationship with Christ, as a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are intentionally moving people one step at a time through that process.
+
+In order to do that, we want to begin with a clearly defined process, designate a clear entry point to the process, design ministry for each step of the process, and evaluate whether such steps create movement. So we’re creating movement, helping people move in discipleship. We’re looking at our process of discipleship as to whether it’s accomplishing these. People know how to jump on board, like a carousel. They know where to jump on board; or if you’re using a baseball analogy, they know the first step is to home plate. Do they know how to do that? And do they know where they go next? When somebody hops off the carousel, do they know where to hop on next when they want to hop on, or what those opportunities are?
+
+“God does not generally work miracles to advance His truth. . . . He works according to great principles made known to us, and it is our part to mature wise plans, and set in operation the means whereby God shall bring about certain results.”<sup>3</sup> We’re just providing that opportunity for people to take their next step in their relationship with Christ.
+
+Let me just share with you briefly some of the things that we’re doing at the Beltsville Seventh-day Adventist Church. We’re constantly evaluating and looking at how we’re doing at accomplishing discipleship, so let me just share a few things for you. The first thing is that we have identified a clear discipleship process. We’ve outlined four steps in the process:
+
+1. Connecting people with God.
+
+2. Connecting people with each other.
+
+3. Connecting people with the community.
+
+4. Connecting people with a life of spiritual growth.
+
+These are the four steps that we have outlined in our church. Please do not replicate them in yours. You’ve got to go through the work to make it happen. You’ve got to figure out what discipleship means for you in your context. Our church took quite a long time to work through this process to come up with this. I mean, we even spent a whole meeting discussing whether we wanted to use the word “connect.”
+
+So you’ve got to figure out what you want to do. Obviously, connecting with God someone’s giving their life to Christ. Baptism is what that is— Bible studies, preparing for Bible studies, etc. Connecting with each other, they become part of the local church. They’re using their spiritual gifts within the church. They’re plugged into ministry in the church. With the community, they’re actively sharing their faith in Jesus Christ with other people in their family, etc., and they’re also serving the community by actively doing something to engage the social needs of the community. And a life of spiritual growth, knowing how to pray, how to study the Bible for themselves. They’re not dependent upon the pastor or a Sabbath School teacher to help them grow in their relationship with God. They are actively mentoring other people in their relationship with Christ.
+
+This is how we’ve identified what a discipleship process looks like for us. At Beltsville Seventh-day Adventist Church we have identified our discipleship process. We call it Next Steps. That’s our Next Steps process, and we talk about Next Steps all the time, and we use that phrase because we want people to be thinking, **_What is my next step?_** Right now we are completely redesigning our look, so we’ve taken this Next Step look.
+
+If you come to the Ammendale campus, the original campus of the Beltsville church, our welcome desk is covered with this, so that people know that’s where they go to find out what their next step is if they don’t know. We have banners with this on it that we’ve put up. We’ve identified these four steps in the process and are encouraging people to figure out what their next step is in their discipleship process.
+
+As such, we have created four connect cards, one for each step in our process. These are out and available. We reference these on a regular basis, encouraging people to take their next step, whatever it is in their discipleship process.
+
+So it’s this intentionality about moving people forward in discipleship. Just about everyone who comes is beginning to think, **_What’s my next step?_** Now, whether they choose to take it or not is up to them, but they’re getting that opportunity to know what their next step in their relationship with Christ is. Thank you.
+
+_Tim Madding, D.Min., serves as lead pastor of the Beltsville Seventh-day Adventist Church, beginning there in October 2014. Tim, his wife, Andrea, and son Ethan live in Beltsville, Maryland, just outside our nation’s capital. Tim believes that the local church is God’s primary tool for the salvation of the world, and his personal mission is to prepare as many people as possible for the second coming of Jesus and is committed to resourcing the church for that purpose._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Bible texts in this chapter are from the New American Standard Bible.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ellen G. White, in Review and Herald, Sept. 6, 1884.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ellen G. White, _Christian Service_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1925), p. 228.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ibid., p. 121.
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+---
+title: The Amazing Infuence of Sabbath School for Discipleship Growth
+---
+
+_Ramon J. Canals, D.Min._
+
+Christianity has been experiencing a continuing decline in Bible study and prayer. According to the Pew Research Center, only one third of Christians in the United States read the Bible at least once a week. Like many Christian churches, our own church is being affected. If transformation is to happen in the church, the study of the Bible must be front and center, for without it there is no spiritual growth. Ellen G. White writes, “None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.” As Seventh-day Adventists we are blessed to have a religious-education institution for members of all ages—Sabbath School! Sabbath School was designed with the purpose of helping its members grow in spiritual understanding as they get into the Word of God daily. Sabbath School has a tremendous qualitative and quantitative influence on making disciples and growing and developing the church. What changes must happen in local church Sabbath Schools to harness their potential to improve and enlarge the church? What is the secret of getting church members excited about coming to church early and staying in the church? These are questions many people are asking.
+
+The answer to these questions might be a different kind of Sabbath School—a Sabbath School focused on worshipping God through prayer, Bible study, genuine fellowship, and uncompromising focus on mission. This is not a dead or boring Sabbath School. This is what I call “Sabbath School Alive”!
+
+Sabbath School has been called the “heart of the church” for good reasons. If rightly conducted, Sabbath School can bring life to the church, just as the heart brings lifesaving blood to the body. In other words, Sabbath School has an amazing influence for church growth and retention of members. Calling Sabbath School the heart of the church might sound like a cliché, yet it is an undeniable truth.
+
+Not only is Sabbath School the heart of the church, but its importance in the life of the believer cannot be underestimated. I like to define Sabbath School as an opportunity for developing relationships: relationship with God, relationships with one another, and relationships with the community. Thus, Sabbath School is about restoring relationships on the Sabbath day—a day designed by God for worship and fellowship. It is about worshipping God and making disciples—learning and growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).
+
+As in the days of the Colossian church, we face the danger of being deceived by the elemental spiritual forces of the world rather than growing by abiding in Christ. We face the danger of forgetting who we are and why are we here. We should never forget that we are people of the Bible and that we are called to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus.
+
+I was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the age of 20 after a dramatic encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. Although I grew up serving as an altar boy in the Catholic Church, I had never read the Bible. After my baptism as a Seventh-day Adventist I was given an assignment that I credit with helping me develop a love for the Bible and for Sabbath School. I was asked to teach the youth Sabbath School lesson.
+
+Although I had never studied the Bible before, let alone taught it to others, I took this responsibility seriously. I began to study the Bible study guides and the Bible intensely, getting up very early every morning to study. One of the reasons I spent so much time studying the Bible was that I knew so little about it and I wanted to be sure I knew my lesson well when before the class on Sabbath. The effort of getting up early in the morning and dedicating hours to prayer and the daily study of the Bible were instrumental in cementing my faith and deepening my love for my Savior, Jesus. Reading the Bible daily helped me acquire a deeper understanding of God’s will as it is outlined in the Bible, and a desire to share this knowledge with other people. I grew spiritually as I spent time with God and His Word.
+
+The result will be the same for anyone who decides to spend time with God and the study of His Word. As we grow spiritually, we become aware of our fallen condition and are more willing to become partners with God in saving souls for the kingdom of heaven. As we continue to grow in the knowledge of the will of God, we will learn to please Him in everything we do. It is this knowledge and a love for Jesus that keeps people in the church. We can devise plans and strategies to keep people in the church. We can try to close the back door and the windows and pehaps the chimney to prevent people from leaving the church. But unless we help them develop a close relationship with Jesus thorough the study of the Bible and prayer, all efforts will fail.
+
+Church growth has been a subject of much study in recent years. Everyone in church leadership is concerned about the empty pews. As a pastor, I hated the empty pews. And I asked myself the question “How can I reverse this trend? How can I fill the empty pews?” Several years ago I was serving as a pastor in a church that had been declining for years. As I started praying and thinking about what to do, I realized that the answer to my questions was right in front of my eyes: the Sabbath School class. Yes, the Sabbath School class! I realized that all the resources I needed to bring revival to the church were right there staring at me.
+
+The Sabbath School class is the perfect structure for church growth because of its size. Any expert in church growth will tell you that to grow a healthy church, you need to develop small groups. Why small groups? Here are 10 reasons:
+
+1. **Jesus’ Example**: To grow His church, Jesus chose a small group of disciples. Small group ministry was Jesus’ way of making disciples. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16).<sup>3</sup>
+
+2. **Ellen White’s Counsel**: Ellen White encourages small groups focused on mission. The Sabbath School class is a functioning small group. “The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort is a plan that has been presented before me by One who cannot err.”<sup>4</sup>
+
+3. **Spiritual Growth**: The Sabbath School class is ideal for spiritual growth. Small groups provide a special environment for experiencing God as we worship Him through the study of the Bible, prayer, and fellowship. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
+
+4. **Encouragement**: To encourage one another in a small setting is better than in a large group. Small groups help facilitate biblical applications to your personal situation. “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:12, 13).
+
+5. **Fellowship**: The best way to find fellowship is in a small group. Small groups provide growth in Christian lifestyle through shared experiences, victories, and challenges, in a familiar setting. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
+
+6. **Responsibility**: Sabbath School helps members become responsible for their own spiritual growth. Instead of depending on the pastor to nurture and care for them, through the small Sabbath School class they learn to care for themselves and for one another. The small-group setting can help members overcome sin through the encouragement of sharing struggles and victories. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).
+
+7. **Discipleship**: A small Sabbath School class can facilitate discipleship more effectively than the large church (see Matthew 28:18-20). Small groups help fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples by offering a place to worship, pray, study the Bible, and grow.
+
+8. **Meaning and Fulfillment**: There is nothing more powerful to help people stay in the church than a sense of belonging and meaning. The small Sabbath School class can develop projects to impact their community. Small groups offer the opportunity to serve God by helping others. “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah” (Acts 5:42).
+
+9. **Tender Loving Care**: The small Sabbath School class is effective in caring for and loving one another. Small groups are an intimate place where love and care are given and received. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
+
+10. **Success**: The small Sabbath School class focused on Bible study, prayer, and soul winning is resulting in church growth wherever it is implemented (see Acts 2:41-47). Wherever this methodology is carefully followed, it yields fruit! It is successful in making disciples!
+
+How can Sabbath School be an influence to help you grow your church and make disciples? Here are three ways.
+
+### I. Sabbath School Helps Your Church Grow Spiritually
+
+Spiritual growth can happen only as we feed ourselves from the Word of God. Ellen G. White comments, “The beauty and riches of the word have a transforming influence on mind and character.”<sup>5</sup> If church members depend on the 30-minute sermon from the pulpit once a week, they will become weak, dependent church members. On the contrary, if they study for themselves daily and connect with God individually, they will be strong, independent disciples growing in grace and serving their communities.
+
+Sabbath School is a tremendous influence on growth in the Christian faith and on maturing in Christ. Ellen G. White writes, “The influence growing out of Sabbath school work should improve and enlarge the church.”<sup>6</sup>
+
+#### Influence to Improve the Church
+
+Sabbath School is the very basis of our Christian growth; it is the daily, weekly, continuous focus on God’s Word that leads an individual, and the church collective, to grow in spiritual strength. The emphasis on Sabbath School, and Sabbath School attendance, is vital if the individual and the church are to flourish in spiritual growth and biblical understanding.
+
+The influence of Sabbath School in the growth of the church cannot be underestimated. Sabbath School, if rightly conducted, can be an agency for growth in the church by helping its members know God and develop a close relationship with Jesus. There is nothing more effective for spiritual development than the study of the Bible. Satan is aware of the power of the Bible for spiritual transformation and for keeping people connected to Jesus and active in the church. Ellen G. White asserts, “Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore he invents every possible device to engross the mind.”<sup>7</sup> This is why we must do everything possible to help people love and study the Bible. People cannot love Jesus, who is our life, if they don’t know the Bible, because it is in the Bible that Jesus is revealed.
+
+### II. Sabbath School Helps Your Church Grow Numerically
+
+#### Influence to Enlarge the Church
+
+To enlarge the church means simply to make it bigger—to help it grow. Sabbath School can enlarge the church by teaching members how to give Bible studies, how to share their faith, how to work in their communities, and how to make disciples. The importance of Sabbath School as an instrument for church growth was clearly set forth by Ellen G. White when she said, “The object of Sabbath school work should be the ingathering of souls.”<sup>8</sup> Notice that she saw Sabbath School as an institution that could help enlarge the church through numerical growth.
+
+#### Mandate to Make Disciples
+
+The Great Commission of Jesus is a mandate to make disciples. Therefore, making disciples should be a priority for any pastor or church leader who wishes to follow in the footsteps of the Master. The Sabbath School class has the perfect structure for discipleship and disciple-making.
+
+The Gospel of Matthew introduces the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry with His preaching the arrival of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17). “Follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (verse 19). “Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 10:6, 7). After Jesus’ resurrection He gave His disciples His final all-encompassing command to make disciples of all nations (see Matthew 28:19). With this command Jesus created a self-perpetuating, living organism that will never run out of human resources. Sabbath School, if done correctly, can be a powerful instrument in making disciples.
+
+### III. Sabbath School Keeps Your Church United Theologically
+
+#### Sabbath School is the instrument designed by God to keep the church
+
+together theologically, because Sabbath School is the vehicle through which the universal message of the three angels of Revelation 14 is proclaimed to its members. The global perspective of the SDA Church is acquired through the Sabbath School. If Sabbath School disappeared, the church would lose its integrity as a world church. Thus, Sabbath School is the golden thread that keeps the Seventh-day Adventist Church united theologically and sociologically.
+
+A study conducted by the General Conference Department of Archives, Statistics, and Research found two important factors regarding Sabbath School. The first factor was that Sabbath School is a powerful, positive influence in church life around the world. The study found that the adult Sabbath School lessons are well liked and regarded as spiritually beneficial by church members everywhere. So too is the overall experience of Sabbath School. The researcher, David Trim, concluded that “it is a strength on which the church should build.”<sup>9</sup>
+
+Another important takeaway from the study, Trimm reported, was that less than half of all Seventh-day Adventists worldwide have experienced any denominational education, and many pastors have had limited Adventist education. Although the percentage of church members who have attended Adventist educational institutions partly reflects rapid church growth rather than lack of commitment to denominational education, this means there is a growing need for education for the children of the many recent converts. There is also a need for pastors to receive a thorough and distinctively Adventist training and to have opportunities for continuing education.
+
+### Conclusion
+
+As I travel and speak with church leaders around the world, one thing has become clear. They feel that people are not attending Sabbath School and church in some places because those places have lost their focus on mission. And because of the weak spiritual condition of the members.
+
+Sabbath School was created to strengthen the spiritual lives of the members as they study the Bible and seek to share their faith with other people. It is one of the divinely appointed methods for instilling the gospel in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. The key to church growth and Sabbath School revival is every member involved in the mission of saving souls by practicing what they have learned in Sabbath School. “The Lord desires that those who are engaged in the Sabbath school work should be missionaries, able to go forth to the towns and villages that surround the church, and give the light of life to those who sit in darkness.”<sup>10</sup>
+
+The writings of Ellen G. White affirm that those who engage in Sabbath School work should be men and women of faith, humility, consecration, and spiritual knowledge. They will then be able to go forth into the world to share God’s amazing love for His children. The Great Commission of Jesus was not for church growth. The Great Commission was to make disciples. However, if we make disciples instead of members, the church will grow exponentially. It’s worth noting that Jesus’ mandate necessitates that the church train laypeople for evangelism. Encouraging Sabbath School classes to be actively involved in their community is one way people of any language or ethnic background can be motivated, trained, and equipped to fulfill Christ’s mandate. Then, as the disciples grow spiritually, the church will grow numerically.
+
+_Ramon J. Canals is the director of the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department of the General Conference. Previously he was vice president of the North Pacific Union Conference and also served as evangelist, evangelism coordinator, and ministerial and Hispanic ministries director. He graduated from Central American Adventist University in Costa Rica (B.A.). He also holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Andrews University. Canals’ mission is to encourage, energize, empower, and equip the saints for the mission of saving souls. Canals enjoys racquetball, reading, music, and memorizing entire chapters and books of the Bible. He is married to Aurora, an assistant treasurer at the Chesapeake Conference who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration. They have two adult children, Jessica and Gabriel, and three beautiful grandchildren._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/14/5-facts-on-how-americans-view-thebible-and-other-religious-texts/.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Great Controversy_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 593.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Bible texts in this article are from the New International Version.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ellen G. White, _Evangelism_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946), p. 115.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Ellen G. White, _Christ’s Object Lessons_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1900, 1941), p. 132.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Ellen G. White, _Counsels on Sabbath School Work_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1938), p. 9. (Italics supplied.)
+
+<sup>7</sup> E. G. White, _The Great Controversy_, p. 519.
+
+<sup>8</sup> E. G. White, _Counsels on Sabbath School Work_, p. 61.
+
+<sup>9</sup> David Trim, _Strategic Issues From Global Research_ (Silver Spring, Md.: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2011-2013).
+
+<sup>10</sup> Ellen G. White, in _Sabbath School Worker_, Sept. 1, 1892, p. 74.
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+---
+title: Two Sides of Sanctification
+---
+
+_Bonita Joyner Shields_
+
+Some people believe that discipleship and stewardship are one and the same. As a former discipleship coordinator and now a stewardship director, I disagree. Having said that, I have, after studying both, arrived at the conclusion that they are two sides of the same coin.
+
+The coin: sanctification.
+
+Before I begin, let me say that this is the first time I’ve presented these thoughts in a formal setting. They have been germinating in my mind for several years. So, please, let’s dialogue. I believe discipleship and stewardship are very important to our sanctification. In my presentation I use the terms _process_ and _practice_. My intention is not to place these two aspects of our Christian lives into a box. However, these terms aid me in explaining my hypothesis.
+
+Discipleship is a _process_ through which believers travel as they express their faith and obedience. Through this process we grow in their connection with God, self, and others; in our understanding of Jesus and His teachings; in our service in God’s mission of revelation and reconciliation; and in our living in community to help one another know, love, and serve God. (This process is explained more fully later in the presentation.)
+
+Stewardship is a _practice_ through which believers express their faith and obedience. Through this practice we grow in their faithfulness in managing the tangible and intangible resources of God that He has so graciously bestowed on us in our new life. These resources include our time, our abilities, our possessions, our relationships, even God’s grace. (To understand more about the role of faithful stewardship in our lives, go to www.nadstewardship.org.)
+
+Of course, process and practice overlap. Being a fruitful disciple and a faithful steward are both works of faith. Both require obedience. Both are essential aspects of the work of sanctification in our lives—which we all know is a work of a lifetime.
+
+In this next section I will give a history of the process of discipleship that was identified by the General Conference and Andrews University and unpack the concept. I will also unpack the concept of stewardship.
+
+### Together Growing Fruitful Disciples In Context
+
+In 2005 a vision was cast at the General Conference session for the 2005–2010 quinquennium for the _Tell the World_ initiative. Part of this initiative was Disciples Alive!—a comprehensive, integrated thrust created by Mike Ryan, GC vice president, and Marty Feldbush, director of GC Chaplaincy Ministries. The purpose of Disciples Alive! was to refocus and align the departments around a common paradigm, diminish overlap, identify gaps for more efficient and comprehensive discipling, and enable departments to focus their expertise on the common task of discipling.
+
+In 2006 the General Conference invited Jane Thayer of the SDA Theological Seminary to present on the subject of discipleship, in which she introduced the four processes of discipleship: connecting, understanding, ministering, and equipping. From that beginning, the steering committee of the General Conference Ministries Committee (MINCOM) developed a working theology of discipleship and, the same year, MINCOM adopted the concept of discipleship as a paradigm for itself.
+
+In 2007 MINCOM renamed the discipleship thrust _Growing Disciples_ and an in-house management team was named: Ron Flowers, Kathy Beagles, Maria Ovando-Gibson, and Bonita Shields. The _Growing Disciples_ concept was presented to the 2007 Annual Council.
+
+During the years of 2007–2009, Kathy Beagles (assistant professor, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary) validated the _Growing Disciples in Community_ model in her dissertation using Valuegenesis 2 data, with equipping as the independent variable (or discipling aspect) and the others—connecting, understanding, and ministering—as the personal processes of personal discipleship.
+
+During the years 2009–2010, Glynis Bradfield (CIRCLE, director, Andrews University) validated a self-assessment aligned to the _Growing Disciples_ framework, with a sample of adolescents in three world divisions: North American, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean, and South Pacific. This confirmed the four-process model. Based on her research, an assessment tool is available online at www.growingfruitfuldisciples.com.
+
+In 2010, because of trademark issues, _Growing Disciples_ was renamed _Together Growing Fruitful Disciples_ (TGFD). Also, during this year Ron Flowers retired, Bonita Shields assumed leadership, and TGFD was placed in the General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department (SSPM).
+
+During the years of 2010–2016, the events listed below took place (not an exhaustive list):
+
+#### 2011
+
+- The TGFD framework is shared with Sabbath School and Personal Ministries (SSPM) division counterparts during the SSPM advisory in Silver Spring, Maryland.
+
+- The Greater Sydney Conference implemented the TGFD model in their conference, churches, and schools.
+
+#### 2012
+
+- _In Step With Jesus_, the New Members’ Bible Study Guide, based on the TGFD framework, was developed.
+
+- The _Journal of Adventist Education_ (JAE) dedicated the entire Summer issue to discipleship.
+
+- Kathy Beagles, Glynis Bradfield, and Bonita Shields gave TGFD presentations at the NAD Teachers’ Convention. The special issue of JAE was placed in each teacher registration bag.
+
+- The GC Youth Ministries Department created a five-series discipleship curriculum based on the TGFD framework.
+
+#### 2013
+
+- Bonita Shields met with Lawrence Burn and Dale Goodson from Adventist Frontier Mission to discuss how TGFD could inform their work. Burn and Goodson voiced their desire to have the GC develop principles/guidelines for discipleship to guide them in their work.
+
+- Bonita Shields met with Rick McEdward from GC Adventist Mission to discuss the church’s need for a discipleship model in the context of mission.
+
+- Bonita Shields met with Paul Brantley and several NAD church pastors as a discipleship consultant in Wingdale, New York. This meeting preceded the Urban Mission Conference, for which she gave an opening address and presented a workshop on discipleship.
+
+- Shields presented a five-lesson course on teaching for discipleship in workshops to GC and world leaders.
+
+I share this history not to put you to sleep! I share it to show how this model has been taught to many throughout the world field and hopefully to show its potential to help the world church operate under a common understanding of the discipleship process.
+
+### What Is Together Growing Fruitful Disciples
+
+This model includes two primary elements:
+
+**The Framework**. This framework describes the process of discipleship that I mentioned earlier: connecting with God, self, and others; understanding Jesus and His teachings; serving in God’s mission of revelation and reconciliation; and living in community to help one another to know, love, and serve God.
+
+Within this framework are listed commitments, statements of action that reveal our dedication to the process of discipleship. For example, if I am connecting with God, self, and others, one of the ways through which I commit to this is to develop a dynamic, deepening relationship with God by communing with Him regularly through His Word, prayer, and other Christian disciplines; participating with other believers in worshipping God on Sabbath and at other times; paying attention to what God is doing and praising Him for His love and faithfulness, etc.
+
+This is _not_ a checklist. It merely offers commitments that we believe growing disciples make to God and to themselves as they seek to walk in faith and obedience to Jesus, and indicators that the Spirit is working in their lives.
+
+**Spiritual Growth Inventory**. A user of the website will create a free online account, then answer an 84-question survey that will give real-time feedback regarding the person’s spiritual growth in relation to the TGFD discipleship model. For example, a user will answer such questions as “I am deepening my relationship with God,” “I am sharing my faith through my daily activities,” “I am encouraging others to spend time with God daily,” etc. From these answers, a graph will be created showing in what areas a person is strong in their discipleship journey and in what areas he or she has needed growth.
+
+This tool was created with the world church in mind: something not so specific that other contexts around the world couldn’t use it, or so nebulous that no one could use it.
+
+But questions remain:
+
+1. How can we use this tool to bring the church together in discipleship work?
+
+2. How can we use this tool to equip our leaders in their discipling of members?
+
+3. How can the member use it in their personal discipleship journey?
+
+### Stewardship as Life Management
+
+Just as important as the process of discipleship to our sanctification is the _**practice**_ of stewardship—managing the new life that God has given us as disciples of Christ—this includes tangible and intangible resources. To understand stewardship more fully, we have to go back to the beginning.
+
+#### Reversal
+
+We were created to be stewards. We were rulers of the free world— the Garden of Eden. But we believed the lie. What was the lie? The lie that Satan convinced Adam and Eve of in the Garden was this: _They didn’t have enough._
+
+They didn’t have enough trees to pick from. They didn’t have enough knowledge.
+
+They didn’t have enough respect.
+
+God was withholding.
+
+A relationship with God wasn’t enough.
+
+Satan created in Adam and Eve a mind-set of scarcity (it’s never enough) and took away their mind-set of abundance (our Creator has given us all that we need). Satan succeeded in convincing them to focus on what they didn’t have, rather than on what they had. Thus, they had neither.
+
+Not much different from today, is it?
+
+Most Christians live in that same mind-set of scarcity. Rather than believe that God is the owner and the source of all we need, they believe they are the owner and source of all they need. Rather than believe that God has control of the world, they try to control the world and everyone around them! Rather than believe that God’s design for our lives is best, they believe their way is superior. Rather than embrace their roles as stewards/managers of God’s world, they have decided to take over the world! That’s a heavy burden. But the good news is that through Christ, we can be reinstated as stewards.
+
+#### Redemption
+
+First Timothy 1:3, 4: “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith” (NIV).
+
+What did Paul consider “God’s work”? Did he use the word _euaggeli'on_, the Greek word from which we take “evangelize”? Did he use the word _erga'zomai_, which means “work, perform, do, acquire by labor”?
+
+No. He used the word _oikonomian_.
+
+“What’s that?” you ask.
+
+That’s a form of the Greek word that is directly translated as
+
+“stewardship.”
+
+“Where did _that_ come from?” you ask.
+
+My sentiments exactly.
+
+Paul was in essence saying that _stewardship_ is God’s work. How could that be? Actually, stewardship is not an outdated concept, as many people think. Nor is it a method for pastors to fleece their flocks of their money. _Stewardship is an active, dynamic principle _for the Christian that has long been misunderstood and even ignored. _Stewardship is the means through which we learn to manage the new life God gives us as disciples in this present life, and to qualify us for the management of eternal things in the future life._
+
+God’s work in redemption involves not only what He does through us, but what He does in us. It is so much bigger than what happens on Sabbath mornings or in evangelistic meetings. God’s redemption tells us that God is the Creator and Source of Life, that we were made in His image, that He is the owner of all we have, that we were given dominion over His world, and that we are His children and have all that we need.
+
+### How Do Discipleship and Stewardship Align?
+
+To answer this question, let me tell you a story.
+
+Otto Koning was a missionary in New Guinea. He worked among a native tribe that had known only their village ways. One of those village ways was stealing from others. When Otto and his wife arrived and moved into a hut, the natives often came by to visit. The Konings would notice that after the natives left the missionaries’ home, various household items had disappeared. They saw these items again when they went to preach in the natives’ village.
+
+The only fruit Otto could grow on the island was pineapples. Otto loved pineapples, and he took pride in the pineapples he was able to grow. However, whenever the pineapples began to ripen, the natives would steal them. Otto could never keep a ripe pineapple for himself. This was a frustration, and he became angry with the natives. All during the seven-year period in which this took place, Otto preached the gospel to these natives, but never had a conversion.
+
+The more the natives stole, the angrier Otto became. Finally, one day Otto had a German shepherd dog flown in from another missionary to protect his pineapple garden after other frustrated efforts failed. This only further alienated the natives from him.
+
+Otto took a furlough to the United States and attended a conference on personal rights. At this conference he discovered that he was frustrated over this situation because he had taken personal ownership of his pineapple garden. After much soul searching, he gave his garden to God. Soon the natives started having problems among their tribe. They discovered that Otto was the reason for their problems because he had given his garden to his God. The natives saw a correlation between what Otto had done and their own lives being affected by calamities in their village. When Otto gave his garden to God, he no longer got angry, and was free from worry. The natives started bringing him fruit from the garden because they didn’t want any more calamities to come into their village.
+
+The light came on one day when a native said to Otto, “You must have become a Christian, Otto. You don’t get angry anymore. We always wondered if we would ever meet a Christian.” They had never associated Otto with the kind of person he was preaching about, because his message did not line up with his life. Otto was broken in spirit when he realized he had been such a failure.
+
+At the end of seven years he witnessed his first conversion, and many began coming to Christ once he fully gave his garden to God. The fruit grew so abundant that Otto began exporting it and growing other types of fruit, such as bananas. His village became the most evangelized in the whole region, yet for seven years he had not one convert.
+
+Otto realized something each of us must realize: To gain your life, you must lose it, along with your possessions. It was only when he gave all his possessions to God that he became free from them. God measured back to him manifold once He had complete ownership.
+
+“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39, ESV).*
+
+### Challenge
+
+It wasn’t until Otto became a faithful steward of what God had given him and acknowledged God as owner of all that he had did he became a fruitful disciple.
+
+How might faithful stewardship impact your discipleship journey? https://coachellvalley.com/pineapple-story/
+
+_Bonita Joyner Shields was director of stewardship for the North American Division when she gave this presentation. As of November 2019 she serves the North American Division as vice president for ministries._
+
+_Prior to serving in the North American Division, Bonita Joyner Shields served for 14 years in the General Conference as an editor and assistant director for the discipleship in the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department and as an assistant editor of the Adventist Review/Adventist World. She began her ministry as an associate pastor of the Spencerville church in Silver Spring, Maryland. Shields received her undergraduate degree in theology at Washington Adventist University and her master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Andrews University. She holds certifications in financial coaching and stewardship. Shields believes that an understanding of our identity in Christ as not only fruitful disciples but faithful stewards of our entire lives will help God’s people live more gratefully, joyfully, and generously. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband, Roy, of almost 36 years._
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+title: Two Sides of Sanctification
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diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/09-nurture-and-heart-retention/01.md b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/09-nurture-and-heart-retention/01.md
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+---
+title: "Nurture and Heart Retention: A reliable predictor helps to prevent dropout"
+---
+
+_Marcos Faiock Bomfim_
+
+The Adventist Church is currently facing a challenging average retention rate of 50 percent,<sup>1</sup> obviously with a corresponding evasion rate. More than a problem for the church as an institution, it may also represent an eternal life-or-death issue for those involved. A question that may be important for those in church administration—from the local church to the higher institutions—is whether there is a reliable church-evasion predictor. If identified, it may help leaders to provide priority ministerial attention (nurture) to those in greater need, which would certainly affect retention rates.
+
+This article aims to contribute to that discussion, suggesting a church-evasion predictor, which is probably the easiest to assess. It will present some concepts and strategies from the Bible and Ellen G. White’s writings, as well as some recent suggestive data, about how to encourage church members to become more fully attached to God and heaven. This article will focus on ways that generosity and spiritual financial giving,<sup>2</sup> or their absence, may function as apostasy predictors and impact church-retention rates.
+
+### The “Heart Retention Principle” in the Bible
+
+Heart retention (inward adherence), instead of just body retention (outward adherence), is a foremost concern of Jesus, evidenced in His preaching (e.g., Matthew 5–7). When asked about what to do to inherit eternal life, Jesus’ answer surprises the inquirers, since He presents an affection—to love God with all possible capabilities and their neighbors as themselves—as a mandate of supreme importance. The radical emphasis on how this affection should be pursued, “with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:25-27; see also Mark 12:29-31; Matthew 22:37-39; Deuteronomy 10:12),<sup>3</sup> may suggest that this “nurture” endeavor is the essence of any retention program. It is so essential that without it any religious exercises such as public worship or offering giving are considered meaningless by God (Mark 12:33; Isaiah 1; Hosea 6:6).
+
+But in a world so full of distractions, how can Jesus’ followers develop this radical affection toward God? In Matthew 6:19-21 Christ states that material possessions are carriers of affections. Therefore He warns His disciples to use them as instruments for placing the affections (the “heart”) in the right place, in heaven—with God in His dwelling place— “for where your treasure is, there your heart [affections] will be also” (verse 21).
+
+The immediate context (verses 25-31) makes it clear that by “treasure” (wealth), Jesus means material possessions, money included. But how do we transfer treasures to God and to heaven, and consequently place our affections there? In Luke 12:33, 34 Jesus mentions charity primarily as a way to place treasures in heaven (and, consequently, the heart also). This, however, involves a far broader spectrum that includes all that may be dedicated to the Lord, which is suggested by the dualism earth/heaven found in the corresponding text of Matthew 6:19-21, as well as by Ellen G. White’s writings.<sup>4</sup>
+
+To know that to love God is the most important choice for eternal life, and that this affection may be started and increased by spiritual financial giving, is important information for those interested in developing nurture and retention strategies. Jesus is describing here His “heart retention principle”—a divine strategy devised to keep the heart in His kingdom, and not just the body in the church.
+
+Even though Jesus’ “heart retention principle” is obviously not limited to spiritual financial giving, this activity must be included as an integral item on the list of Adventist personal piety practices, according to Rob McIver.<sup>5</sup> McIver proposes that those practices that connect people to God must be assessed and studied together for nurture and retention purposes, including spiritual financial giving.<sup>6</sup>
+
+The reversed application of the heart retention principle establishes that professed disciples who are not directing their possessions (and, consequently, their affections) to heaven (to God) are investing them in the earth and are being distressed and deceived by them (Matthew 13:22). In this way they are increasing their affections for the wrong objects, choking God’s Word, and becoming spiritually unfruitful (verse 22). This misguided affection becomes a spiritual malaise called materialism, also acknowledged by John as the love of the world, or the love of things. This produces a corresponding loss of spiritual sight and a loss of love for the Father (1 John 2:15)—a fatal outcome from the nurture and retention perspective!
+
+Even though the Bible is not against possessing wealth in this world (God is “He who gives you power to get wealth” [Deuteronomy 8:18]), riches should not be desired or sought after (1 Timothy 6:9); otherwise, God may be hated or despised (Luke 16:13). As “you cannot serve God and mammon” at the same time (verse 13), the first attention should be given to “the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” and then “all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). This obviously includes necessary material possessions.
+
+Paul also points to the extreme spiritual risk of materialism for retention purposes by saying that the “desire to be rich” prevents many from spiritual financial giving and drowns “men in destruction and perdition.” Then he explicitly relates materialism and love of money to apostasy by saying that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith (1 Timothy 6:9, 10)—a clear connection between church evasion and greed.
+
+### Ellen G. White and the Spirituality Indicator
+
+Ellen G. White agrees with Paul when she says that increased “devotion to money getting” is something that “deadens the spirituality of the church, and removes the favor of God from her.”<sup>7</sup>
+
+If we assume that the spiritual state of a church will affect its retention rates, then we may expect that “devotion to money getting” among members will worsen those rates. Should we just sit and wait to see what will happen next with such members? May we rightly consider a “spiritually dead” state as preceding apostasy? How can the church recognize this “devotion to money getting” and “spiritual death” condition in a church member; and, if identified, how should church members deal with that person for whom Christ died? Can we consider financial unfaithfulness toward God as evidence of “devotion to money getting” and of “dead spirituality”?
+
+Another Ellen G. White statement suggests a clear answer to that last question. Referring to Luke 16:1-13 (the parable of the unjust steward), she presents the extended and ruinous influence of financial unfaithfulness toward God by saying that “he that will withhold from God that which He has lent him will be unfaithful in the things of God in every respect.”<sup>8</sup>
+
+This radical and far-reaching statement (“will be unfaithful in the things of God in every respect”) connects a church member who is withholding from God with the gradual development of all kinds of imaginable unfaithfulness. This leads to a “dead spirituality” stage, and finally to apostasy and church evasion.
+
+How the “love of money” and the consequent financial unfaithfulness may also relate to apostasy and church evasion may be explained by research conducted by the South American Division (SAD) secretariat,<sup>9</sup> which involved the tithe and offering giving patterns of all 1,054,367 members who were removed from membership in their territory from 2015 to 2017.<sup>10</sup> The study findings showed that an average of 86 percent of those who had their names removed from membership during this period did not have any tithing record for at least 36 months prior to officially leaving the church, and 91 percent of them had no offering record during the same period.<sup>11</sup> What can we do to motivate church members to secure their hearts in the cause of the present truth, in heaven, and in God?
+
+Ellen G. White says that the more contributors invest in the Lord’s treasury, the “more wedded to the cause of present truth” they will be,<sup>12</sup> making church evasion far less likely. Not to leave any doubt, God’s messenger explains that “spiritual prosperity is closely bound up with Christian liberality.”<sup>13</sup> This is why Christian liberality must be emphasized, practiced, and studied whenever spiritual prosperity and higher retention rates are expected. Ellen White goes even further by saying that the “churches who are the most systematic and liberal in sustaining the cause of God are the most prosperous spiritually,”<sup>14</sup> and that the work of imparting the heavenly gifts (through tithes, offerings, and charity) “is the life and growth of the church.”<sup>15</sup>
+
+It seems clear that spiritual financial giving is strongly related to church growth and spiritual prosperity of churches, making apostasy less probable. But more than that, it is evaluated by God (2 Corinthians 9:7)<sup>16</sup> and therefore has definite spiritual and moral implications (Malachi 3:8-10). A broader investigation is still needed to verify data regarding the relationship between spiritual financial giving and church-retention patterns. But at least from a biblical and Spirit of Prophecy perspective, it seems evident that spiritual financial giving is closely related to church growth and spiritual prosperity and is expected to increase church retention rates. For that reason, spiritual financial giving must be encouraged, practiced, assessed, and studied, as its absence can be considered a predictor of apostasy. Members’ financial records should also be studied by a select group of church leaders as a vital tool, helping them to recognize and possibly prevent apostasy by giving priority attention to those members at higher risk. A subsequent essay will be presented to address strategies and programs intended either to strengthen systematic giving and/or to establish appropriate interventions when it is absent.
+
+_Marcos F. Bomfim is the director of Stewardship Ministries at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States._
+
+_Born in a ministerial family, Marcos Bomfim began his ministry as a pastor in Brazil, serving for nine years in five different districts in the city of São Paulo. After that, he served in the SAD territory for 16 years in different conferences, one union, and in the division, in stewardship ministries and other capacities, including the SAD Ministerial Association. Since 2015 he has been the GC Stewardship Ministries director, and his main goal is to motivate church members around the world to put God First in their lives and to be prepared for life in heaven._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Considering 2012-2017, according to GC online statistics reports (http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/Forms/AllItems, retrieved on Feb. 19, 2019).
+
+<sup>2</sup> We will consider “spiritual financial giving” as all that is given to God as a way for His stewards to worship Him, or to recognize Him as the owner of all things. It may include tithes, offerings, and charity.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Texts in this article are from the New King James Version.
+
+<sup>4</sup> One example: “There are only two places in the universe where we can place our treasures—in God’s storehouse or in Satan’s; and all that is not devoted to God’s service is counted on Satan’s side, and goes to strengthen his cause” (Ellen G. White, _Counsels on Stewardship_ [Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1940], p. 35).
+
+<sup>5</sup> Robert K. McIver, Tithing Practices Among Seventh-day Adventists: A Study of Tithe Demographics and Motives in Australia, Brazil, England, Kenya, and the United States (Avondale Academic Press and Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists), p. 153.
+
+<sup>6</sup> After studying Adventist giving patterns in five conferences on five continents, McIver identifies five “practices of personal piety positively correlated to tithing,” which are to “[1] attend Sabbath school, [2] open and close Sabbath, [3] study the Sabbath school quarterly, [4] read and reflect on the Bible each day, and [5] pray often during the day.” For that reason, he suggests that tithing should be included “as part of the practices that make up personal piety for Seventh-day Adventists” (ibid.).
+
+<sup>7</sup> E. G. White, _Counsels on Stewardship_, p. 20.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Ellen G. White, _Testimonies for the Church_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 1, p. 198.
+
+<sup>9</sup> PowerPoint presented by Edward Heidinger, South American Division secretary, on August 4, 2018, to the SAD executive committee, with data obtained from the ACSM (Adventist Church Management System).
+
+<sup>10</sup> An average of 351,455 by year: 313,473 in 2015; 368,123 in 2016; 372,771 in 2017.
+
+<sup>11</sup> Even though the study may not be considered conclusive, it does suggest a trend that will require additional research.
+
+<sup>12</sup> E. G. White, _Counsels on Stewardship_, p. 73.
+
+<sup>13</sup> Ibid., p. 49.
+
+<sup>14</sup> E. G. White, _Testimonies for the Church_, vol. 3, p. 405.
+
+<sup>15</sup> Ibid., vol. 6, p. 448.
+
+<sup>16</sup> John C. Peckham, _The Love of God: A Canonical Model_ (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic, an imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2015), p. 123.
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+title: "Nurture and Heart Retention: A reliable predictor helps to prevent dropout"
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+---
+title: Discipleship—Woman to Woman
+---
+
+_General Conference Women’s Ministries_
+
+### Introduction
+
+Bringing people to Jesus is something everyone can do—men, women, and children. The purpose of this seminar is to teach women how to disciple new believers. This seminar was originally written by Jean Sequira in 2003 and was updated by Bonita Shields in 2018. This seminar is part of Level 2 of the General Conference Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification program. The program was designed to train women globally in areas of leadership and has four levels to the program.
+
+The seminar materials include:
+
+- The presenter’s outline
+
+- The PowerPoint presentation • Handout
+
+- Activity sheets (for participants to use in the discipling process)
+
+This seminar is somewhat unique in that, unlike other women’s ministries seminars, it has an outline format rather than a manuscript format. Please personalize it with your own life experiences and illustrations to help make it more meaningful for you and the participants.
+
+The PowerPoint presentation and handouts are related to the seminar. However, the activity sheets are for the participants’ use in the actual discipling process. You should briefly review these activity sheets with the participants when presenting the seminar. The important thing is to ensure that the participants understand their role in the discipling process, and how to use the activity sheets.
+
+For a fuller understanding of the discipling model referenced in this seminar, visit www.growingfruitfuldisciples.com.
+
+This seminar was presented during the Nurture and Retention Summit in 2019 and submitted for this publication as a resource material by Heather-Dawn Small, the director of the General Conference Women’s Ministries Department.
+
+### Discipling New Members
+
+The following is included as the introduction to the handouts for this seminar.
+
+**Say**: The purpose of this seminar is to help you learn how to disciple a new member. Included is a handout for use during the seminar, as well as activity sheets to use during the discipling process.
+
+Discipling a new Christian is both a privilege and a responsibility that should be taken quite seriously. Dedicating your time and energy to help a new believer understand the “how” and “why” of being a Christian is a task that will take much time and prayer. Yet it is a labor of love that will be immensely rewarding to you and the recipient.
+
+#### Opening Activity: “Yeshiva Experience” (20 minutes)
+
+**Intro**: “Today I will be your rabbi, as best I can, and you will be my disciples, as best you can. As a first-century rabbi, I will give you no answers. I will only ask you questions.”
+
+**Scenario**: “Someone you know quite well has just come to you and asked, ‘Will you disciple me for the next 18 months? I will go anywhere you say, do anything you suggest, and experience whatever you think would benefit me. Time and money are not constraints. Will you please be my spiritual mentor/discipler/guardian for the next 18 months?’”
+
+Tell the class to assume there is a discipling compatibility between the two of them, and that, for this class assignment, they must respond with an enthusiastic “YES” to this person!
+
+**Ask**: “Now what?”
+
+- If someone suggests they start by praying about it, ask, “For what do you think you need to pray?” If they respond, “Wisdom,” then ask, “What kind of wisdom do you think you need?”
+
+- If someone suggests they first get to know the person, ask, “What do you think you need to know about this person? What would you be looking for in their background?”
+
+- If someone suggests they would teach the person how to study the Bible, ask, “How do you intend to accomplish that?”
+
+- If someone suggests they teach the person how to pray, ask, “Why do we pray? What is the purpose of prayer? Why do so many of our prayers not even rise to the ceiling, let alone the heavens?”
+
+**Say**: While most of us truly want to disciple another believer, unfortunately we don’t know how to go about it. As Doug Greenwold, author of the book _Making Disciples Jesus’ Way_, discovered when he took his Sunday School class through this exercise, few had any idea of how to go about it, and did not know how to address a person’s understanding of God, their habits, sins, etc., that they might still be carrying around from his or her past.
+
+This doesn’t mean we have to know all the answers before we can disciple someone. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Knowing what questions to ask is just as important as knowing the answers. But ultimately the most important aspect of discipling someone is walking alongside them to help them know, love, and serve God.
+
+This seminar shares with you a discipling framework that shows processes we all go through in our growth as disciples and disciplers. It includes several objectives for each process, and offers resources to help you grow as a disciple and spiritual mentor. The Together Growing Fruitful Disciples framework and the Growing Disciples Inventory (GDI) at www.growingfruitfuldisciples.com will be valuable to you in your discipling of others.
+
+Let’s begin!
+
+### I. CONNECTING WITH GOD
+
+_Objectives_
+
+A. Develop a daily, dynamic, deepening relationship with Christ.
+
+B. Develop an identity that is complete in Christ.
+
+C. Develop habits for intentional spiritual growth.
+
+Christian discipleship occurs in relationships. The number-one goal for a Christian is to abide in Him so that he or she can become more like Him—the source of life.
+
+“The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.”<sup>1</sup>
+
+“There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, by putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.”<sup>2</sup>
+
+#### 1. Prayer
+
+“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (Ephesians 6:18, NLT).
+
+**Resource**: “The Privilege of Prayer,” _Steps to Christ_, pp. 93-104.
+
+“Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’”<sup>3</sup>
+
+#### 2. Bible Study
+
+“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV).
+
+**Resource**: _In Step With Jesus_ (New Members Bible Study Guide), www.instepwithjesus.org.
+
+“Fill the whole heart with the words of God. They are the living water, quenching your burning thirst. They are the living bread from heaven. . . . ‘The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’ John 6:63.”<sup>4</sup>
+
+#### 3. Writings of Ellen G. White
+
+“During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her thousands of pages of manuscripts, more than 100 titles are available in English. . . . Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. . . . Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was more than a gifted writer; they believe she was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world’s attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ’s second advent”<sup>5</sup>
+
+“The Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. Oh, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain!”<sup>6</sup>
+
+**Resource**: George R. Knight, _Meeting Ellen White_.
+
+### II. Understanding God’s Plan
+
+_Objectives_
+
+A. Understand the consequences of the human fall from God’s original plan.
+
+B. Understand that God forgives sin and heals brokenness.
+
+C. Understand that Christ redeemed us from sin and now lives to restore us to physical, mental, and spiritual wholeness.
+
+We learn from God—through His Word and other revelations of His character—what He intends us to be and do.
+
+“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2, NKJV).
+
+#### 1. Purpose of the Christian Lifestyle
+
+The purpose of the Christian lifestyle is
+
+- to understand more fully God’s character as revealed in Jesus (John 10:30).
+
+- to embrace the forgiveness of God (1 John 1:9).
+
+- to experience the abundant life that Christ came to give/restore (John 10:10).
+
+- to be Christ’s ambassadors, participating in His work of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20).
+
+- to prepare God’s people for works of service (Romans 12:1).
+
+- to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).
+
+- to reach unity in faith and knowledge (Ephesians 4:11-13).
+
+- to become mature Christians (Ephesians 4:11-13).
+
+**READING**: It might be good to allow the women to read a few selected Scripture passages from this section for the group.
+
+Throughout Scripture—especially the New Testament—preaching the gospel, forgiveness, and physical healing went hand in hand (see Matthew 4:23; 8:16; 9:1-8 for a few examples). This is an example of the wholistic nature of our being: our minds and spirits affect our bodies, and our bodies impact our minds and our spirits. When Jesus healed people, He didn’t just heal one element of their condition. For wholeness to take place, all elements of our being must be addressed.
+
+“Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:3, NKJV).
+
+#### 2. The Body Temple
+
+“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, NLT; see also 2 Corinthinas 6:16).
+
+How we care for our bodies affects our ability to think clearly, work effectively, and relate to others in the most loving manner; it reflects the value we place on ourselves as temples of the Holy Spirit.
+
+**The Eight Laws of Life and Health**
+
+1. Nutrition: I will eat the right food at the right time in the right amount.
+
+2. Exercise: I will work and exercise.
+
+3. Water: I will be clean and will drink pure water.
+
+4. Sunshine: I will enjoy sunshine.
+
+5. Temperance: I will not take anything harmful into my body.
+
+6. Air: I will breathe deeply and stand erect.
+
+7. Rest: I will rest and get enough sleep.
+
+8. Trust: I will trust and obey God for strength and health.
+
+Being the temple of the Holy Spirit informs us not only what we put into our bodies, but what we do with our time, talents, possessions, money, and health, which are all gifts from God.
+
+**Resource**: Ellen G. White, _The Ministry of Healing_ Vibrant Life, www.vibrantlife.com
+
+### III. Serving In God’s Mission
+
+_Objectives_
+
+A. Look for physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs in the local community.
+
+B. Serve in one or more ministries in the local church.
+
+C. Share your story of your personal relationship with Jesus with community members, family, friends, and coworkers.
+
+In response to God’s love, His followers minister to others by participating in His mission of revelation, reconciliation, and restoration.
+
+“God might have committed the message of the gospel, and all the work of loving ministry, to the heavenly angels. . . . But in His infinite love He chose to make us co-workers with Himself, with Christ and the angels, that we might share the blessing, the joy, the spiritual uplifting, which results from this unselfish ministry.”<sup>7</sup>
+
+In Matthew 5 Jesus told His followers:
+
+**“YOU are the salt of the earth” (verse 13, NKJV)**
+
+| ATTRIBUTE: | SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: |
+| --- | --- |
+| Makes thirsty | Needs Living Water |
+| Preserves | Keep until Christ comes |
+| Flavors | “Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8, NKJV) |
+
+**“YOU are the light of the world” (verse 14, NKJV)**
+
+| ATTRIBUTE: | SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: |
+| --- | --- |
+| Shines brightly | “Keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their Master” (Luke 12:35, NIV). |
+| Attracts | “Shine. . . , that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV). |
+| Guides | “I have made you a light for the Gentiles. . . . Bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47, NIV). |
+
+**Discussion**: Ask the participants to share other attributes or spiritual applications that they may have thought of.
+
+**Resource**: Go to www.sabbathschoolpersonalministries.org/acs-resources to request the Adventist Community Services leaflet/handbook, which is an introductory tool for creating an organized response to the needs in your community.
+
+“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).
+
+“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant. . . . There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. . . . But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11, NKJV).
+
+By using your spiritual gifts in ministry in the local church, you will:
+
+- involve others in ministry.
+
+- bring members into fellowship.
+
+- help the Christian community grow.
+
+- strengthen the body of Christ.
+
+**Resource**: _Connections_ (Implementing Spiritual Gifts in the Church)
+
+“If you are Christ’s follower, He sends in you a letter to the family, the village, the street, where you live. Jesus, dwelling in you, desires to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with Him.”<sup>8</sup>
+
+**Small Group Activity**: Divide participants into groups of no more than three or four. Give each person the “Sharing My Story” activity sheet. Give them a few minutes to look it over. Then ask each person to share with their small group (if they feel comfortable doing so) their answer to any one question from any section on the sheet.
+
+Just like the woman at the well in John 4, we are called to share with others our encounter with Jesus. Though we all have the same God, no two stories are the same. Every individual has a life distinct from all others. What may touch someone from your life may not touch a person from my story, and vice versa. And our confession of His faithfulness is heaven’s chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world.
+
+**Resource**: “Sharing My Story” activity sheet
+
+### IV. Living in Community
+
+It is within the body of Christ that we are discipled and equipped to disciple others.
+
+“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11, NLT).
+
+New members may _join_ our church, but unless they are cared for, fed, and nurtured, they will not _stay_ in the church.
+
+Caring about our congregation is an important aspect of evangelism. We do not want to bring in new members by the front door only to have them leave by the back door.
+
+Why do members not become active when they join a church? (See the resource below for current statistics on the reasons people leave the church.)
+
+- Perceived hypocrisy in other church members
+
+- Conflict within their local church and with other members
+
+- Marital difficulties (including an unbelieving spouse)
+
+- Lack of friends
+
+- Burnout from activity in a former church
+
+We must walk alongside other new members to support, nurture, and strengthen them in love. Assimilation and spiritual growth do not happen automatically. They must be intentional.
+
+**Resource**: “Nurture and Retention Summit,” www.adventistarchives.com.
+
+#### Help One Another Know, Love, and Serve God
+
+1. Establish a process/program to help new members understand what it means to be part of your community. (Some churches have developed new member orientations.)
+
+a. Explain the structure of your church.
+
+b. Discuss the importance of giving our time for service.
+
+c. Explain the privilege and responsibility of tithes and offerings.
+
+d. Express the need for new members to choose a small group of their preference within the first three months of their arrival. Groups can be formed according to:
+
+i. Bible study
+
+ii. Place in life (single, married, collegiate, etc.)
+
+iii. Service tasks, such as beautifying the church grounds, hospitality for a new member class, repair and maintenance of church property, etc.
+
+2. Allow new members to give a testimony during church time, so the congregation can get to know them.
+
+3. Align each new member with a spiritual mentor/discipler/guardian. Baptism is an ideal time for this relationship to commence. These spiritual companions will:
+
+a. meet regularly with the new member to pray for and with each other, celebrate each other’s joys and sorrows, assist each other through challenging times, and help them retain relationships even when conflict occurs.
+
+b. help the new member to study God’s Word, apply biblical principles to their lives, and discern spiritual truth in a balanced manner.
+
+c. hold each other accountable to one another for growth toward wholeness in Christ, which involves:
+
+i. acknowledging our brokenness and coming to God for healing.
+
+ii. confessing our faults to trusted believers for the purpose of healing.
+
+iii. being open to caring questions and suggestions when our behaviors are damaging to us and/or to others.
+
+d. help each other discern where God is working in his/her life. support each other in the use of our spiritual gifts to fulfill God’s mission.
+
+4. Share ways for them to disciple within their families.
+
+a. Encourage the father in his role as priest of the family.
+
+b. Have family worship in the morning and/or in the evening.
+
+c. Share a bedtime prayer with your children, assuring them that angels are watching over them.
+
+d. Choose a ministry in which the entire family can work together in a spirit of servanthood.
+
+e. Prepare an agape feast on a Friday evening, eating fresh fruits and whole-grain bread. Wash each other’s feet in a spirit of forgiveness and humility.
+
+“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
+
+“A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47, NLT).
+
+**Resources**:
+
+- “Spiritual Mentor Commitment” activity sheet
+
+- Together Growing Fruitful Disciples Framework and Spiritual Growth Inventory, www.growingfruitfuldisciples.com
+
+- www.indisciple.org (to access free materials for parents to mentor their children)
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Ministry of Healing_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 470.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Desire of Ages_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898, 1940), pp. 250, 251.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ellen G. White, _Steps to Christ_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1956), p. 70.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ibid., p. 80.
+
+<sup>5</sup> http://www.whiteestate.org/about/egwbio.asp.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Colporteur Ministry_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1953), p. 125.
+
+<sup>7</sup> E. G. White, _Steps to Christ_, p. 79.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Ibid., p. 115.
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+title: Discipleship—Woman to Woman
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+---
+title: "Nurture and Retention through Service: Creating Opportunities that Strengthen Faith Communities"
+---
+
+_Fylvia Fowler Kline_
+
+When determining the world’s saddest countries, the Annual Misery Index<sup>1</sup> uses unemployment as a primary predictor of misery. When the employment rate creeps toward 7 percent, a country panics<sup>2</sup>— crime increases, health declines, divorce is on the rise, and even life expectancy is shortened. It is a time of crisis because less money and fewer people are attempting to fund the ongoing needs of a country. More alarming, the negative consequences of unemployment often linger for decades, long after employment picks up.
+
+The rate of unemployment reflects the number of “uninvolved” people—those not participating in a country’s economy. If a country panics when 7 percent or more of its population are unemployed, should not the church panic when an average of 80 percent of church members are uninvolved in the life of their local church?<sup>3</sup> In the average church only 20 percent of worshippers<sup>4</sup> are “active”—these are the people who have a church office or who pitch in when there is a need. These active participants are ambassadors of their faith. The other 80 percent are pew warmers, worshippers who check in for worship on Sabbath and check out of church life for the rest of week.
+
+Similar to how unemployment has a debilitating effect on a country, the higher the percentage of noninvolvement and disengagement within a church, the greater the risk of a church becoming stagnant, losing members, or worse, shutting down—“By some estimates, every day in the United States nine churches shut their doors forever.”<sup>5</sup> According to one study in 2014, of the approximately 300,000 churches in the United States, 177,000 had less than 100 members.<sup>6</sup> A lifestyle of service, on the other hand, is a key performance indicator of a healthy, vibrant, growing church. The measure of a church is not in its attendance but in the transformational effect it has on its community. It’s about the lifestyle of service that exists within the church family.
+
+### Servanthood—The Mark of Every Christian
+
+If the current service projects in your church are not making a significant impact on the health and growth of your church, it may be because (1) only a small percentage of worshippers are involved in service while the rest are passive supporters, (2) the service initiatives are perceived needs and not the true needs and desires of the community, or (3) the acts of service are happening void of close relationships, and therefore are perceived as handouts or charity rather than love and support.
+
+Connecting with the community is not solely the responsibility of the pastor.
+
+“Ministers should not do the work which belongs to the church, thus wearying themselves, and preventing others from performing their duty. They should teach the members how to labor in the church and in the community. There is work for all to do in their own borders, to build up the church, to make the social meetings interesting, and to train the youth of ability to become missionaries. . . . They should cooperate actively with the minister in his labors, making the section of country around them their field of missionary effort. . . .
+
+“This work has been neglected. Is it any marvel that God does not visit the churches with greater manifestations of his power, when so large a number are shut in to themselves, engrossed in their own interests?”<sup>7</sup>
+
+Servanthood—helping others in love—is not a spiritual gift. It is the mark of every Christian. Christians serve others just as Jesus did. It’s as simple as that. How we serve and how we use our spiritual gifts and talents are an assorted variety, but the call to serve is the common call of all worshippers. To experience maximum impact in your church, service opportunities need to be strategic, intentional, and occur at all of these three levels:
+
+1. **The church as a whole**—service projects that the corporate church does as one large body (e.g., adopt a nursing home and visit the residents regularly with church worshippers on a rotating schedule).
+
+2. **Small groups**—service projects that come out of relationships created between worshippers and their friends and neighbors in the community (e.g., two families from church who live in the same neighborhood and who have children or the same age begin a book and babysitting club with two other families in the neighborhood, taking turns meeting in one of the four homes each month; after a brief study of the book, all the children are babysat by the host of the month in their home while the other three couples go on a date).<sup>8</sup>
+
+3. **Families/Individuals**—service projects that individuals and families choose to participate in that make service an integral component of their Christian lifestyle (e.g., a musically gifted family offers their services once a month to a neighboring Sundaykeeping church, providing the family with opportunities to make friends outside of their own church and to partner with another church in community projects, etc.). “It is no small matter for a family to stand as representatives of Jesus, keeping God’s law in an unbelieving community. We are required to be living epistles known and read of all men. This position involves fearful responsibilities.”<sup>9</sup>
+
+When service opportunities are supported by strong relationships and spiritual nurture, churches can result these positive outcomes:<sup>10</sup>
+
+- increase in giving and in church attendance and involvement
+
+- increase in spiritual growth
+
+- increase in efforts to share one’s faith
+
+An example of this is a church in Groesbeck, Texas, a small town of about 4,000 people and 20 churches. When John Carabin stepped into this church as its new pastor, the building was falling apart and its membership was at just nine faithful worshippers. First they changed their name to “Living Proof.” Then they began living their new name by proving God’s love to their town through meaningful service that met specific needs. Two and a half years later, in 2016, their membership was 90. By 2019 it had grown to 200.<sup>11</sup> “In every land and in every community there are many opportunities for helpful service. . . . Look these ones up. Use your talent, your ability, by helping them. First give yourself to the Master; then He will work with you. To every man He gives his work.”<sup>12</sup>
+
+### Service—The Shared Space
+
+“A company of believers may be poor, uneducated, and unknown; yet in Christ they may do a work in the home, in the community, and even in ‘the regions beyond,’ whose results shall be as far-reaching as eternity.”<sup>13</sup> In their analysis of community-centered, externally focused churches, Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson emphasize that “the power of service requires a deep understanding of three intersecting circles that form a visual construct for the externally focused church. Wherever churches are engaged in community transformation, the avenue they’ve chosen lies at the intersection of the needs and dreams of the city or community, the mandates and desires of God, and the calling and capacity of the church.”<sup>14</sup> This section is a summary of their three-circle concept that describes the connections between the local church, its community, and God’s desire for both.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Diagram](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-11-nurture-and-retention-through-service-creating-opportunities-that-strengthen-faith-communities/image.png)
+
+The first circle represents the needs and dreams of the community. Rather than assume, learn what the true needs are. Being connected to people who work in key areas such as city government, law enforcement, and schools is an easy way to be tuned in to the needs of the community. One church, for example, hosts a monthly lunch for a few leaders and business-people. The guest list is created with strategy and intention to encourage brainstorming and networking among one another, making the church a great community liaison.
+
+The second circle is the mandates and desires of God. “From Isaiah 65:17-25, Dr. Raymond Bakke, speaking of a future city, outlines six characteristics of a healthy community from the heart of God—public celebrations and happiness (verses 17–25), public health for children and the aged (verse 20), housing for all (verse 21), food for all (verse 22), family support systems (verse 23), absence of violence (verse 25). To this list we would add meaningful work (verses 22, 23).”<sup>15</sup> This is what God wants for people everywhere.
+
+The third circle is the calling and capacity of the local church. “The capacity of each local church determines the part it will play as an agent of community transformation. No church can do it all, but every church has the capacity to serve the city and the people of the community in a meaningful way that represents the love, mercy, and power of God.”<sup>16</sup>
+
+When these three circles come together, intersecting spaces are formed that define what happens between these circles and how they are connected. Rusaw and Swanson use John Calvin’s term, _common grace_, to describe the space where the city’s needs and desires of a city meet the mandates and desires of God—“Common grace is God’s beneficence toward everyone as reflected in Luke 6:35: ‘[God] is kind to the ungrateful and wicked’ and Matthew 5:45: ‘He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.’ God desires for all people to live in safety and with justice. The city wall that provides protection for believer and unbeliever is an expression of common grace. . . . Common grace is part of the reason we ‘give to Caesar what is Caesar’s’ (from Mark 12:17).”<sup>17</sup>
+
+Control takes up the space shared by the city and the church. There are often limitations, boundaries, and laws a relationship between the church and the city.
+
+Salvation takes up the shared space between what God wants and what the church is called to do. “God ‘wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth’ (1 Timothy 2:4). God’s words to the exiles who were carried off to Babylon are also relevant here: ‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper’ (Jeremiah 29:7).”<sup>18</sup>
+
+The circles and the intersecting spaces point out that “as much as God wants the city to be saved and the task of saving the people of the city is the calling of the church, salvation is really outside of what the city desires.”<sup>19</sup> If you were to ask city leaders to list their needs and desires, salvation would most likely not be on that list. Service, on the other hand, is the space that is shared by all three circles.
+
+“Service is something that the community needs, God desires, and the church has the capacity to do. The community may not care much about salvation, but it does have needs. It is in meeting those needs through service that meaningful relationships develop, and out of relationships come endless opportunities to share the love of Christ and the gospel of salvation. The early church grew because its people loved and served. We believe servants can go anywhere. Service gives us access not only to places of need but also to places of influence. . . . Barriers to the gospel melt away when people are served and blessed. It’s been said, ‘There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus. But there are a thousand ways to Jesus.’ By creating a thousand entry points into the community, we create a thousand ways to show the love and share the good news with the city.”<sup>20</sup>
+
+### The Community—An Extension of the Church
+
+When you view the church’s immediate community as an extension of itself, it becomes easier to find ways to integrate the church into the life of the community, to “meet people where they are, and take them where Jesus wants them to go. . . . Leading people on a personal level must involve hearing their individual story, understanding their worldview, and engaging persuasively through building bridges to a gospel-centered, word-centered way of life. ”<sup>21</sup> The strategy is simple—weave a fabric of friendship and relationships within the church’s immediate community.
+
+One way to do this is to become a part of community events, initiatives, and organizations such as the chamber of commerce, Lions, Rotary, etc. This provides unparalleled opportunities to connect. Here is how one particular church takes advantage of its membership at the local chamber of commerce.<sup>22</sup>
+
+1. **They show up and make friends**—Whether it is the casual weekly meeting for small businesses or the formal monthly luncheon, they are there. But they don’t just attend to be seen; they show up early to greet and connect and stay back to help clean up. This extra 15 minutes makes a huge difference in not only how they were perceived but also gives them opportunities to mingle and get to know others. It is not just the pastor who attends—church officers and worshippers, be they members or not, take turns, ensuring the church is always represented.
+
+2. **They connect through service**—Organized and intentional, worshippers form teams based on interest and relevance. For example, church families with children that attend the local public high school make up a team and work together to find ways to connect and build relationships with other parents in the school. This “team” represents the church by meeting needs specific to the school community. During the basketball season, for example, they provide bottles of water for the team and help out at school events.
+
+3. **They are always available**—The church always keeps up with local news. When there is a news story about a need, they are the first to show up with a plan, ready to serve, and to rally other businesses to get the job done.
+
+4. **They take the church to the community**—Rather than hold events at the church to lure the community, they go into the community, where the people are. In the middle of town, during the week, they run a community center that offers a variety of programs such as after-school care and tutoring, various trade classes, and community service credits for teens on probation. And on their day of worship the church has a parallel worship service right there in their community center. Because a majority of worshippers are active participants and not pew warmers, they have enough volunteers to do all of this.
+
+Ellen G. White points out that “in almost every community there are large numbers who do not attend any religious service. If they are reached by the gospel, it must be carried to their homes.”<sup>23</sup> While she was specifically referring to the work of missionary nurses, the premise is applicable in other situations. “It takes between 12 and 20 positive bumps (refreshing encounters with the church) before people come to Christ. Our presence in the public square through service gives us opportunities to provide these refreshing encounters.”<sup>24</sup> Take a look at the current programs in your church and determine which ones can be repurposed for your community. Here are a few examples:
+
+- If you have a Sabbath designated for children’s church, repurpose it as free day care to the first 10 who sign up.
+
+- Consider having the Pathfinders and Adventurers meet somewhere in the community and marketing it as a kids club for the neighborhood families.
+
+- Partner with a local organization and take movie night from the church gym to a public space.
+
+- Move your smaller Bible study groups from the church to a local coffee shop. The chances of random strangers joining your Bible study at Starbucks are slim, but the probability of strangers considering God and prayer during a bleak moment in life because of what they saw in Starbucks is a possibility.
+
+### Worshippers—Not Visitors
+
+Within these relationships spiritual seeds will be sown. “Let us not grow weary of doing good” (Galatians 6:9, ESV). We must serve without any agenda but to reflect the life of Jesus on earth. If and when they come to church is the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus served with no expectations. He healed 10 lepers knowing only one would say thank you. In His last act of service of washing the feet of His disciples, He had no agenda or expectation in return. Had He expected faith in return, he would have skipped Thomas. Had He expected loyalty, Peter’s feet would have remained caked in dirt. He didn’t even expect honesty, for He washed Judas’ feet.
+
+When the church is connected in its community and worshippers are plugged into their neighborhood, people from these relationships may visit your church. And as a church we must welcome them as if we have been expecting them. From the moment someone new steps into our church, they become a worshipper—one of us. Calling them visitors implies a temporary connection.
+
+Like meeting for the first time the family of the one you’ve been dating, first-time worshippers are often apprehension. But just as how one is slowly but intentionally drawn into a new family, it is important to build and nurture relationships from the moment they first walk into the church. The power of service can play a very important role in your strategy: Just as one gets comfortable with a new family through trivial yet significant tasks such as helping with the dishes, the church needs a plan that takes a first-time worshipper from “Welcome” to “Here’s the broom,” from “Good to meet you” to “You’re family.”
+
+### Service Projects—Not Just For Members
+
+New members who are not plugged into the life of the church either leave or become nonparticipants. Don’t wait until you’re sure they are there to stay. Be ready with ways to be inclusive. Don’t wait for baptism before you integrate a worshipper into church life. Have ready a strategy of friend-making and a list of ways they can be involved that don’t require membership. Here are some practical ways to be ready for and connect with new worshippers:
+
+- Groom people with the gift of social skills to be pew ambassadors. Have them in the same spot at church every week and look for first-time worshippers in the pews closest to them. Their primary task is to befriend first-time worshippers by following a plan which the church may need to be periodically tweaked, depending on feedback and what doesn’t work.
+
+- When they begin frequenting the church and at the appropriate time, pew ambassadors connect the new worshippers with others in the church who share a common interest, are of the same age, are from the same neighborhood, etc.
+
+- Plug them in to the life of the church by matching their interest with the church’s needs. Find ways to connect them to Christ, to their calling, to others in the church, and to their community.
+
+- Most important, grow your relationship with the now not-so-new worshipper.
+
+### Service—Woven Into Life Events and Relationships
+
+Plugging people into service opportunities is not just giving them a chore to do or an event in which to participate. It’s about discipling them, strengthening their spiritual health so they are comfortable sharing their story of Jesus. A nurturing plan that runs parallel to service opportunities addresses this need. Acts of service need to be combined with social connections and spiritual nurture. To begin, the group needs to have something in common that they can self-identify with—say they are empty nesters, moms, men, or young families. Then they need to add a social element as well as a service-focused assignment. For example, three empty-nester couples who meet for a Bible study every week [spiritual nurture] also volunteer together at a local shelter once a month [service] and take an annual trip together [social connection].
+
+A legitimate barrier to any service initiative is the lack of time in people’s everyday lives. One way to combat this is to integrate service into events already on people’s calendar. Take, for example, two women at church who belong to a quilting group that meets at the community craft store. Since this is an activity they have already made time for and is one that brings them in contact with others in the community, this becomes their community connection, one where they intentionally, and together, befriend others and build relationships. This is an example of missional living, in which you “take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering” (Romans 12:1, 2, Message). Alan Hirsch puts it well: “We are _designed_ and _destined_ to be a missional-incarnational people. . . . There is no such thing as an unsent Christian! We are _all_ missionaries. It is not a profession; it’s the calling of every disciple.”<sup>25</sup>
+
+Just as important as it is to build new relationships is the need to repair broken ones. Reaching out to those who no longer worship with you is like making up after a bad breakup. It’s hard work to woo a person back into your life. You must be willing to admit when you’re wrong, forgive, make some positive changes, and most important, nurture a hurt relationship back to good health. You have a better chance of success if (1) you really knew the person in the first place and (2) if you make them feel loved and needed and again.
+
+Service opportunities can bridge paths back to the church. People are more inclined to engage with a community project connected to the church before they consider returning to church. Following private, honest conversations geared toward reconciliation and renewed relationships, connect them to one of the church’s community projects. For example, if the person has audiovisual skills, ask if they’d be willing to help with a community concert. Then continue involving them in projects while rebuilding the relationship. Prayerfully and patiently wait to invite them to church at a time that feels appropriate. If you’re turned down, preserve the relationship and continue connecting them with community events and service projects.
+
+### Servanthood—Without an Agenda
+
+“Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church so that everyone shall be working for Him according to his ability. When the members of the church of God do their appointed work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfillment of the gospel commission, the whole world will soon be warned and the Lord Jesus will return to this earth with power and great glory.”<sup>26</sup>
+
+But even when energized by our call to service and to share God’s love, we must remember that we can control only plans and projects,<sup>27</sup> not people and hearts. That’s the business of the Holy Spirit. When you’ve done all you can within the space where your gifts and calling intersect with God’s plans, shake off your frustration but continue in grace and service, love and prayer—and always strengthen your relationships. We must merely be “willing to step outside the safety net of our church pews and cross the street into real-life, real world acts of service in order to share the truth of Jesus Christ.”<sup>28</sup> Let your life speak the truth louder than your words.
+
+### NURTURE THROUGH SERVICE
+
+#### Implementation Ideas
+
+_By Fylvia Fowler Kline_
+
+_**Note**: Some of these are my ideas, and others are what I’ve seen work in churches. With every plan: 1. Add a spiritual element to your services without creating a sense of expectation or requirement. For example, provide a short devotional after an English class only for those interested. 2. Whatever the project, be regular, consistent, and dependable._
+
+1. Small groups studying God’s Word in groups of four to six to allow the addition of another four to six of new worshippers. Meet in the community and add a social element to it.
+
+2. “Kind” bags for worshippers to take on their way out to give to the homeless. Content suggestions: juice box, granola bar, encouraging thought or Bible text, a dollar bill. Place these by the door for worshippers to pick up on their way out after worship. It’s an easy way to engage with first-time guests.
+
+3. Friendship ambassadors assigned to pews to sit at the same place every week in order to engage with new worshipers and connect them with members who may have things in common with them.
+
+4. Host families—regular worshippers ready to take new worshippers home for a meal.
+
+5. Babysitting Club—A small group of families with children in the same age group who meet once a month, rotating homes. They have devotional time or read a book together (as a book club), after which all the couples go on a date—except the ones hosting, who watch the kids. The longer the tradition, the closer the ties.
+
+6. Host a family movie night in the community. The church can do this in a community center—In most small towns there is an organized movie-in-the-park event; partner with another business. Families can do this for their neighborhood (project the movie on a garage door and invite neighbors to bring lawn chairs).
+
+7. Super Bowl party with another community business.
+
+8. Quarterly block party on church grounds or somewhere public for the neighbors within a block/walking distance.
+
+9. Partner with a business to start a community garden.
+
+10. Adopt an apartment building—better yet, rent an apartment in the building you adopt. Have a strong disciple live there to minister to the people, to hold small group meetings, etc.
+
+11. Repurpose current events into community services— Pathfinders, VBS, Sabbath School (take all of these to the community, outside your walls. Be intentional about including children from the community).
+
+12. Begin various craft clubs that meet in public places (there’s a knitting club in the Panera near my home; tutors help kids at the eatery in Wegman’s).
+
+13. Offer cooking classes in other churches right after their Sunday service (include a free meal).
+
+14. Offer report card rewards to local schools.
+
+15. Offer language classes in a community space (e.g., library).
+
+16. Read the local newspaper to identify immediate needs and for long-term planning. Follow up and help!
+
+17. Offer free rides to the airport (stick to a schedule, be dependable—offer this in airport advertising).
+
+18. Welcome basket for people who buy homes in the neighborhood (home sales are public information).
+
+19. Begin Bible studies at the local university.
+
+20. Begin a travel club (worshippers traveling with nonworshippers provide many opportunities to share their faith).
+
+21. Partner with a local hospital to provide a free gift to babies born there (beginner’s quarterly, a pair of booties, book for parents).
+
+22. Join local community groups such as the chamber of commerce, Lions Club, etc. Encourage members to join as well.
+
+23. Plan for a permanent presence in the middle of the community.
+
+24. Have offsite worship services in your community center or in a public space.
+
+25. Families and individuals find ways to connect with others in things you already do: e.g., young parents from the church having play dates at the same time, same place, same playground to connect with other parents in the community.
+
+26. Join trivia night at the local bar (e.g., many bars in the U.S. that serve meals as well designate one evening as family night and host family-friendly activities).
+
+27. Worshippers gifted in music offer their services to churches of other denominations (most churches pay for special music and pianists).
+
+28. Mini concerts in parks.
+
+29. Monthly lunch with community leaders (six possible areas to target: business, government, education, health and social services, media, religion)
+
+30. Social media ads, ads on buses (of your services and not what you are).
+
+31. Identify businesses that will allow literature and handouts. Keep these stocked, ensuring the material is appropriate and includes the church’s name. E.g., stack of healthy recipes at the local grocery store; health DVDs at the Health and Human Services office; notes on positive living at the yoga studio; free women’s health magazines at the hair salon; packets of seeds at the craft store.
+
+32. Post on community boards a list of the month’s services and events the church provides. Keep these current :)
+
+33. Create a detailed database of your worshippers—their profession, hobbies, fears, names of children, hours of work, favorite food, spiritual gifts, etc.
+
+34. Have a plan that ensures someone of the leadership team has a one-on-one with every worshipper outside of sickness and death.
+
+35. Assign a got-to personal church liaison to every worshipper. The liaison contacts everyone on his list at least once a month.
+
+36. Solicit service ideas from worshippers and provide new and more opportunities to serve.
+
+_Fylvia Fowler Kline, manager of VividFaith, has expertise in nonprofit administration, marketing, and communication. Her insights relevant to this topic are from her time as vice president of one of the largest chambers of commerce in the United States and from the six years her family served as missionaries in Nepal when only 0.1 percent of the population was Christian. Finding creative ways to share the Christian faith has been especially important to her since her stay in Nepal._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Johns Hopkins economist Steve Hanke’s misery index is the sum of unemployment, inflation, and bank lending rates, minus the change in real GDP per capita. For the 2018 misery index, see Katie Jones, “The Most Miserable Countries in the World,” _Visual Capitalist_, Oct. 4, 2019, https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-most-miserable-countriesin-the-world, accessed Nov. 3, 2019.
+
+<sup>2</sup> See, e.g., these news stories: “Greek Unemployment Rate Fell to 18 Pct in December 2018,” _The National Herald_, Mar. 2, 2019, https://www.thenationalherald.com/233755/greek-unemployment-rate-fell-to-18-pct-in-december-2018, accessed Apr. 2, 2019; “India unemployment rate highest in 45 years,” _Aljazeera_, Jan. 31, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/india-unemployment-rate-highest-45-years-report-190131144720377.html, accessed Apr. 2, 2019; and “South Africa’s economic growth stutters,” _Financial Times_, March 5, 2019, https://www.ft.com/content/1688aa70-3f5311e9-b896-fe36ec32aece, accessed Apr. 2, 2019.
+
+<sup>3</sup> According to several research studies, e.g., Scott Thumma and Warren Bird, _The Other 80 Percent: Turning Your Church’s Spectators into Active Participants_ (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2011).
+
+<sup>4</sup> The author uses the term worshippers instead of church members to be inclusive of all who attend church, be they members or nonmembers, and because a lifestyle of service has the same effect on both members and nonmembers.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Angie Mabr-Nauta, “Mourning the Death of a Church,” _Christianity Today_, Mar. 11, 2014, https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/march-web-only/mourning-death-ofchurch.html, accessed April 2, 2019.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Ibid.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Ellen G. White, _Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists_ (Basle, Switz.: Imprimerie Polyglotte, 1886), p. 291.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Children in this group also benefit from this practice and often remain friends into their college years and adulthood, continuing the tradition of spiritual nurture and social connection.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Adventist Home_ (Nashville: Southern Pub. Assn., 1952), pp. 31, 32.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Based on a study of more than 7,000 people and 35 churches, these findings are from Diana Garland, Dennis Myers, and Terry Wolfer, _The Impact of Volunteering on Christian Faith and Congregational Life: The Service and Faith Project_ (Waco, Tex.: Center for Family and Community Ministries School of Social Work, Baylor University, 2006), https://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/22980.pdf, accessed Apr. 2, 2019.
+
+11 “A Living Proof of Love—How a Dying Church Was Transformed Through Service,” _Outreach_, May/June 2016, p. 34. The author confirmed 2019 membership with Pastor Carabin, phone call, Jan. 6, 2020.
+
+12 Ellen G. White, _Selected Messages_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958, 1980), vol.1, p. 103.
+
+13 Ellen G. White, _The Ministry of Healing_ (Mountain View, Calf.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 106.
+
+14 Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson, _Externally Focused Church_ (Loveland, Colo.: Group, 2004), pp. 562-564.
+
+15 Ibid., pp. 581-583.
+
+16 Ibid., p. 594.
+
+17 Ibid., pp. 599, 600. Bible texts within this and the following citation are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
+
+18 Ibid., p. 609.
+
+19 Ibid., p. 611.
+
+20 Ibid., pp. 616-620.
+
+21 Todd Engstrom, “Meeting People Where They Are,” _toddengstrom.com_, Nov. 19, 2013, http://toddengstrom.com/2013/11/18/meeting-people-where-they-are, accessed Apr. 2, 2019.
+
+22 This was a non-Adventist church that the author observed during her time as vice president of a chamber of commerce.
+
+23 Ellen G. White, _Counsels for the Church_ (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1991), p. 311.
+
+24 Dave Workman, pastor, Vineyard Community Church, quoted in Eric Swanson, “Changing Evangelism in Campus Ministry,” _ericjswanson.com_, http://www.ericjswanson.com/2010/09/changing-evangelism-in-campus-ministry, accessed April 2, 2019.
+
+25 Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson, _On the Verge: A Journey Into the Apostolic Future of the Church_ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011).
+
+26 Ellen G. White, _The Acts of the Apostles_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 111.
+
+27 See the list of 36 service ideas entitled _Nurture Through Service: Implementation Ideas_, which follows this chapter.
+
+28 Kirsta Petty, “Connecting Your Church to Your Community—First Steps to Externally Focused Ministry,” http://www.faithformation2020.net/uploads/5/1/6/4/5164069/five_ _steps_to_an_externally_focused_church.pdf_, accessed April 2, 2019.
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+title: "Nurture and Retention through Service: Creating Opportunities that Strengthen Faith Communities"
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+---
+title: Cross-Cultural Disciple Making
+---
+
+_Gorden R. Doss, Ph.D._
+
+Today I am aware that I am “preaching to the choir,” because we all agree on the need to enhance the nurture and retention of new church members. David Trim has spoken powerfully about the grief he feels over the high attrition rate of our members. Cheryl Doss, Oscar Osindo, and others have added very helpful insights. Some have offered complete packages describing new approaches. My approach will be to offer a few “bricks,” or concepts, that can be built into “house” of Adventist mission.*
+
+Possibly the first and most important step in decreasing membership attrition and enhancing nurture is to clarify the goal or measure of success in mission. Car dealers define success as selling cars and mountain climbers define it as reaching the top of the mountain, but what does it mean to succeed in mission? In Christ’s method, making disciples is the goal. His Great Commission makes that clear (Matthew 28:19, 20).
+
+Jesus mingled, built relationships, attracted people to follow Him, and then invested His entire energies in disciple-making. People did not become mature disciples at the moment they decided to follow Jesus. There is no record that Jesus baptized converts. Aside from Pentecost, the New Testament records a surprisingly small number of baptismal events. Neither Jesus, nor Paul, nor the other apostles emphasized baptism as the main goal of their work. Without question, baptism is a moment of deepest theological and experiential significance on the journey of discipleship (see Romans 6). But even at Pentecost, with its unprecedented revelation of the Holy Spirit’s power, much disciple-making work remained to be done among the converts after the large baptisms.
+
+Adventists have tended to define success in mission as baptism. We feel that we have achieved success when the candidate emerges from the waters of baptism to become a church member. The fact is that new church members have a long way to grow to become mature disciples. Some members, new and old, never really become disciples in a meaningful way. We have disciple-making structures in place, such as Sabbath School, Pathfinders, and other departments. However, these structures may not fulfill their full potential, because of our unarticulated confidence that the “job is done” at the baptistry.
+
+There may be some good reasons for this perspective that are rooted in Adventist history. The Adventist pioneers and their early converts were often deeply committed Christians who were already quite mature disciples. For them, the Adventist message was a “value added” or “finishing truth” message, set in the perspective of biblical prophecy. They felt that they became more complete Christians by becoming Adventists.
+
+In the twenty-first century biblical literacy has declined among many self-identified Christians, secularism has become prominent, and people of the non-Christian world religions have yet to be reached effectively. Against this background the Adventist message needs to be seen not as a “finishing truth” for Christians but as a “starting truth” for almost everyone because so many need the most rudimentary gospel teaching. To understand the Second Coming, people must first understand the first coming of Christ. The spiritual journey toward baptism and the ongoing path to mature discipleship is very much longer for nominal Christians and non-Christians than for biblically literate, committed, discipled Christians of other denominations. To illustrate, leading a Buddhist to mature discipleship is a much more challenging task than guiding a mature Baptist Christian to be a mature Adventist disciple.
+
+A disciple is one who experiences continual transformation toward the fullness of Christ in a biblically faithful way, in a culturally appropriate way, at the worldview level, in personal spirituality, in emotional wholeness, in personal lifestyle, in family relationships, as a member of the body of Christ, and as a disciple-making disciple. Christ’s method includes all of these factors in a prebaptism, baptism, and postbaptism process wrapped into a package called discipleship.
+
+Let us note two things about Christ’s method of making disciples. First, He placed major emphasis on inner transformation. Passages like the Sermon on the Mount and the parables were aimed at making deep inner change. Without inner transformation, the work His disciples would do would not be effective. The “mission trip” of Matthew 10 was a valuable lesson for the Twelve, but it did not stand alone as a disciple-making method. He wanted the Twelve to become fishers of men, but His curriculum emphasized changing their hearts.
+
+Perhaps Christ’s method should be a helpful corrective for Adventists. We may rely too heavily on getting new members involved in soul-winning activity as the key to making them true disciples. Without a doubt, soul winning is a blessing that facilitates some of the inner transformation disciples need to experience. However, soul winning should not be seen as a “silver bullet” for making disciples. Spiritual growth does not happen on autopilot. Inner transformation into the likeness of Christ needs to be addressed directly and intentionally. The Bible is the primary text for spiritual transformation, and such books as Steps to Christ and _The Desire of Ages_ are outstanding supplemental resources.
+
+Second, Jesus used culturally available and appropriate methods and modes of instruction. He could have created modern-style books, smartphones, radio, television, or public-address systems, but these methods were not culturally available. Instead, He stood to read the synagogue scroll and sat down to teach, as was customary. He used natural settings and events from which to draw lessons. The world’s greatest Teacher left no known documents written by Himself. His example demonstrates that the Adventist message is not to be identified with or limited by a single methodology. Christ’s whole methodology was receptor-oriented. He always considered where His audience was coming from culturally and spiritually, and used the best available methods to lead them into discipleship.
+
+Some of the most effective methods used by Christ span the centuries because of their universal appeal. Stories, proverbs, parables, and drama are modes of communication that penetrate deeply into peoples’ hearts. Stories are not merely valuable for child entertainment. Rather, stories are used in the Bible, and notably in the Gospels, as primary vehicles of truth. Propositional statements of truth have their place, but the stories of the Bible carry life-changing power. Human life is not lived as a series of propositions, but as a series of dramatic scenes. Truth-filled Bible stories intersect with the human story to make the deepest impact, whether among Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, or nonreligious people.
+
+_Gorden R. Doss was born in the U.S.A. and grew up in Malawi. His time in service has been divided between Malawi and the United States. Since 1998 he has taught world mission at Andrews University. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from Andrews University and a Doctor of Philosophy from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His wife, Cheryl, is director of the Institute of World Mission at the General Conference. They have two married children and four grandchildren._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+* This written version of the presentation includes some material omitted from the spoken presentation because the scheduled time was shortened. My book, Introduction to Adventist Mission, discusses what follows and much more. See chapter 14, “A Model for Strategic Adventist Mission,” especially.
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+title: Cross-Cultural Disciple Making
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+---
+title: The Importance of Contextual Discipleship
+---
+
+_Bruce L. Bauer, D.Miss._
+
+_In addition to good biblical teaching concerning the 28 fundamental beliefs, recent research highlights a disconnect between what people say they believe and their application of those beliefs to cultural and contextual issues. More emphasis must be given in helping people apply the Word of God to everyday issues of life._
+
+This chapter explores the importance of discipleship, which is an ongoing process that lasts the entire lifetime for the people of God and answers two questions. What is a disciple? What is contextual discipleship? I begin by looking at the question of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
+
+Jesus said, “Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher” (Luke 6:40, NLT); therefore, a fully trained disciple is like his teacher. In first-century Palestine, rabbis accepted students who were willing to imitate them in all aspects of life. The goal was really to “create little rabbis who can become just like” their rabbi.<sup>1</sup> Those who have traveled internationally will often encounter Jewish men who dress in black slacks, a white shirt, black hat, black overcoat, and with curls hanging below their ears. They are trying to imitate in all aspects their deceased rabbi. The meaning of what Jesus was asking of those who became His disciples was for them to imitate Him, thinking and doing what Rabbi Jesus would do in all situations.
+
+Contextual discipleship recognizes the need for Jesus’ disciples to wrestle with how the Word of God applies to every cultural and contextual issue faced in life. It is not enough to know and keep the 28 fundamental beliefs of Adventism. A true disciple applies the Word of God to all types of cultural issues that are out of step with what Jesus would do if faced with similar situations.
+
+This seems to be a weak point in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Our church is very good at making clear, easy-to-understand presentations on the 28 fundamental beliefs in our evangelistic series. I agree that this is an important step; however, when people just give assent to the important Adventist belief statements without also learning how to apply those statements and other biblical principles to real-life challenges in their cultural context, too often what happens is that when they are confronted with cultural or contextual issues, they flounder.
+
+In 2013 the General Conference commissioned a Global Church Member Survey and received responses from 26,343 people in nine divisions. In 2018 a follow-up survey had 63,756 responses from all 13 divisions, with a margin of error of less than 1 percent.<sup>2</sup> Some of the findings are troubling, to say the least, and again perhaps indicate that Adventists have done a good job of teaching doctrinal beliefs but not so well at helping people apply those beliefs to their specific situation. Below are just a few statements and responses from that survey.
+
+One of the items on the survey stated, “When people die, their bodily remains decay and they have no consciousness or activity until they are resurrected.” This is good Adventist teaching. Among respondents from all divisions, 89.6 percent agreed or strongly agreed. However, in a subsequent statement that said, “The soul is a separate part of a person and lives on after death” 8.3 percent of the respondents said they were not sure and an additional 32.5 percent agreed or strongly agreed with that statement. It is interesting that a large majority answered the belief question correctly, but when it came to applying that statement to cultural concepts and assumptions, a large percentage continued to believe in an immortal soul. Perhaps we should not be surprised, for many new Adventist members share a cultural and religious heritage with strong Catholic and Protestant teachings concerning an immortal soul or come from cultures in which most people believe that the ancestors and spirit beings interact with the living.
+
+This ingrained assumption is an important part of many people’s worldview. Most Christians believe that when they die they immediately go to heaven. Brief discussions during an evangelistic meeting or talking about this topic in one Bible study usually will not change this deeply held belief. Worldview change takes time, and usually needs multiple stories and experiences to affect deeply held values.
+
+Notice one more statement from the survey. “People who have died believing in Christ are in heaven right now.” Among all 13 divisions, 8.2 percent were not sure and an additional 19.5 percent agreed or strongly agreed with that statement. This means that 27.7 percent of Adventists were not sure or confused on this issue and seem to reveal deeply held cultural and religious values and assumptions that continue to intermingle with their Adventist belief system.
+
+These examples illustrate that in all regions of the world there is still much work to be done in discipling people to help them become biblically shaped disciples. One concern is that in our haste to add members we have spent too little time in making disciples. Even though new Adventists may agree with the 28 fundamental beliefs of our church, too often they do not know how to apply the Word of God to cultural and contextual issues. In those parts of the world in which secularism, Islam, Hinduism, animism, and Buddhism predominate, a twoto-three week evangelistic meeting will never be able to change deeply held assumptions and values that are not representative of biblical Christianity.
+
+### Dangers Lurking in Present Adventist Evangelistic and Discipling Methods
+
+What is creating this discord between doctrinal belief statements people say they accept and contradictory values and assumptions that lurk beneath the surface? It seems that during the past 35 to 40 years the very character of Adventism has changed with an eroding of commitment to biblical beliefs and values. Adventists used to be known as people of the Book because of their deep understanding to God’s Word. Fifty years ago interests often attended six to eight weeks of evangelistic meetings followed by a year or more of Bible study. This is no longer the practice.
+
+At the risk of offending some, I believe that part of the responsibility for this discord between beliefs and the application of those beliefs to cultural issues can be attributed to widespread evangelism methods that have become the norm in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Too often baptism marks the end of any intentional discipling of new believers, and this is especially true when foreign evangelists are invited to do a twoor three-week evangelistic series. When they return home, often no one is present to disciple the new baby Christians.
+
+In addition, many of the world divisions have histories of extensive use of short evangelistic meetings during which after two or three weeks with between 10 and 20 presentations, people are introduced to the distinctive Adventist beliefs and then baptized. It may be possible for some to make a commitment to Christ after such a short time; but it is questionable whether they can internalize the message, sort out all the implications of their new commitment, and have a truly converted worldview in just a few weeks’ time.
+
+Another contributing factor is that in two of the divisions mentioned there has been extensive use of foreign evangelists. Unless the visiting evangelists spend time studying the cultural issues, they are unable to apply their messages to the specific challenges new Christians face when they start their new life in Christ. The local people who attend the meetings hear powerful and logical presentations dealing with truths that are important to Seventh-day Adventists, but most series of meetings spend little if any time dealing with how belief in Jesus Christ affects cultural issues. If in the conversion process belief in an immortal soul, the intercession of saints, the strongly held fear about ancestral spirits, and a host of other cultural issues are not explicitly dealt with, then it is little wonder that there is a disconnect between belief statements and the application of those beliefs to the local issues of life.
+
+Another danger of discipleship that is not contextual is dual allegiance. This is a worldwide problem and is present in every one of the world divisions. Many Adventists in the Western world follow their culture more closely rather than following biblical principles in areas such as dating habits, divorce and remarriage, or issues of modesty. In other parts of the world, issues of dual allegiance are found in such areas as how women are treated, the continued visits to diviners and shaman, or the fear of curses and witchcraft that cause members to continue to seek protection from witchdoctors.
+
+In 1994 the world was shocked by the horrors of genocide in Rwanda. More than 90 percent of the population claimed to be followers of Jesus Christ.<sup>3</sup> Adventists were the third-largest denomination in the country after Anglicans and Catholics.<sup>4</sup> Yet Catholics killed Catholics and Adventists killed Adventists. I believe there are lessons to be learned from that tragedy—all discipleship must be contextual. Muslims and Mennonites were not involved in the killings. Those two groups had taught and emphasized brotherhood, peace, and community. Adventists did not disciple in those areas, with the result that our members killed those who were not from their tribal group. Adventists taught the importance of Sabbath observance; unfortunately, that resulted in a group waiting until sundown on Sabbath evening before throwing grenades into the local Adventist church where Tutsi refugees had sought safety. Contextual discipleship could have focused on the tribal tensions in Rwanda while emphasizing the oneness that we have in Christ and the importance of living in peace with all people.
+
+Dual allegiance can also allow one’s primary allegiance to be focused on something or someone other than God. Consumerism, materialism, and individualism have captured the primary allegiance of many in the West, and when Seventh-day Adventists have a higher commitment to someone or something other than God, harmful things often occur. Dual allegiance also results in syncretism that allows the blending of non-Christian beliefs and worldview assumptions with the teaching of Scripture. Contextual discipleship should involve conversations about the cultural topics that are out of sync with biblical principles.
+
+### Discipleship For A Global Church
+
+When we look at discipleship from the perspective of a global church, five lessons come into focus: Discipleship must be intentional, it must be formational, it must be built on community, it must address all areas of life, and it must be contextual.<sup>5</sup>
+
+#### Discipleship Must Be Intentional
+
+Discipleship in any context is never automatic. Knowing belief statements does not automatically translate into a lived reality where the implications of those beliefs are translated into everyday responses to cultural issues. Discipleship must be intentional, systematic, and planned in a way to teach people how to apply the Word of God to everyday life and how to imitate Jesus in everything that is done in life. It is not enough to assume that Sabbath School and church attendance will disciple new believers so they act, speak, and think in biblically appropriate ways. Discipleship must be intentional.
+
+#### Discipleship Must Be Formational
+
+When Bible study is mentioned in Adventist circles, there is usually a sense that it will involve doctrinal study. The main purpose of most Adventist Bible studies is to share biblical information with people so that they will have a correct view of the 28 fundamental beliefs, which are important to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Again, this is not bad in and of itself; however, if this is the only type of Bible study that Adventists engage in, then there is a weakness that contributes to some of the problems mentioned above. This is especially true of new believers. Learning abstract biblical truth without encouraging discipleship can lead to weak forms of Christianity.
+
+There must be two types of Bible study: informational study and formational study.<sup>6</sup> A very simple form of formational Bible study is to focus on one of the 700-plus stories in the Bible while asking three simple questions. What does this story teach about God? What does this story teach about people? What kingdom principles are there in this story that I need to incorporate into my life if I want to be a committed disciple of Jesus Christ? Adventists do very little of this type of Bible study. Even pastors spend most of their Bible study time preparing biblical information for their sermons and Bible studies. This lack of spiritual formation creates weak disciples and allows people to know Adventist doctrines while never learning to apply biblical principles to the cultural and societal issues.
+
+#### Discipleship Must be Built Around a Community
+
+Discipleship must be built around a community, a family, or a small group. Relational discipleship allows for accountability and the opportunity for group discussions on issues one faces in society. Jesus surrounded Himself with 12 disciples who were with Him for three and a half years. They had the opportunity to ask questions and to receive corrections and further insights into what being a disciple meant. Few new converts experience this type of community, which allows for accountability and spiritual growth in caring small groups. Western societies are especially weak in this area. Too many never experience community, and some are allergic to the intimacy and accountability associated with small discipleship groups.
+
+#### Discipleship Must Address All Areas of Life
+
+Discipleship must also address all areas of life. Unfortunately, many Seventh-day Adventists do not look or act much different from the rest of the people in their cultural setting. A disciple of Jesus Christ does not live a compartmentalized life, acting and looking a certain way on Sabbath, but living like the rest of society Sunday through Friday. It is not enough to know the 28 faith statements and agree with them but never learn how to apply those statements to the contextual and cultural issues. Being disciples of Jesus Christ means people want to imitate Jesus in all areas of what they do and what they think.
+
+#### Discipleship Must Be Contextual
+
+Discipleship must also address the specific cultural issues faced in each specific culture. The “so what” of each of the 28 fundamental beliefs will be different in different contexts. If people live in cultures in which same-sex marriage and cohabitation are accepted lifestyles, discipleship must seek to address those issues. If fear of witchcraft and ancestral spirits are the issues, then discipleship must address those issues. In North America 40 percent of Christians “strongly agreed that Satan is not a living being but is a symbol of evil, [and] an additional . . . 19 percent said they agree somewhat” with that statement.<sup>7</sup> Thus, 59 percent of Christians plus a large percentage of the unchurched population do not believe in a real devil. In such a setting, teaching on the great controversy theme and on the existence and activity of the devil is needed. I worked in Cambodia for several years. The people there had no doubts about the existence of devils, evil spirits, and evil forces. In that context their discipleship needed to emphasize how God protects and cares for those who trust him. The idea of angels watching and protecting God’s people (Psalm 34:7) and the power of the Holy Spirit actually living in God’s people (1 John 4:4) were important points in the discipling process.
+
+### The Goal: Contextual Discipleship
+
+The goal of Adventist mission and ministry is a disciple who imitates what Jesus Christ would say and do if He lived in their cultural context. The Seventh-day Adventist Church needs members who have biblically shaped behavior, biblically shaped beliefs, but also biblically-shaped values and deep worldview assumptions. In other words, the Adventist Church needs to make sure that those they call to be Christ’s disciples apply the Word of God to the everyday challenges and issues of life. People can begin their walk with Christ just as they are, with their old values and assumptions—their old worldviews—but if they remain in those old worldviews, they will be stunted in their Christian walk and will continue to live with conflict and syncretism.<sup>8</sup> What is needed, especially when working with non-Christian peoples, is a much broader evangelistic approach than just a twoor three-week evangelistic series. Extended periods of Bible study, discipleship in small groups, and nurture that is contextual should be part of every person’s journey both before and after baptism.
+
+In addition, I would recommend that much more emphasis should focus on topics that apply biblical principles to the people’s cultural issues. If Adventists continue the practice of having only short series of evangelistic meetings with poor or nonexistent after-baptism nurture and discipleship, the church will continue to bring people into membership who say they agree with the belief statements of our church, but who also continue to hold on to the cultural and contextual views of their old way of life.
+
+In North America, if the Adventist Church continues to emphasize only the 28 fundamental beliefs as it prepares people for baptism, it will also find that Adventists are drifting further and further from having a biblically shaped view of cultural issues such as same-sex marriages, Halloween, the occult, cohabitation, divorce, and what appropriate behavior is when dating. If these topics are not included when preparing people for baptism, the Seventh-day Adventist Church will also discover that a growing number of people are joining the church with schizophrenic and conflicting views that will sooner or later stunt their Christian growth and development.
+
+_Bruce L. Bauer is professor of World Mission at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, holds a B.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Religion from Andrews University and an M.A. in Missiology and a Doctor of Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary. The Bauers spent 23 years as missionaries in Japan, Guam Micronesia, and Cambodia. Bruce has taught in the Theological Seminary at Andrews University for 25 years and is currently the director of the Doctor of Missiology program and the editor of Journal of Adventist Mission Studies._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Doug Greenwold,. “Being a First-Century Disciple” (2013), http://preservingbibletimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Reflection-DRIP-5.pdf.
+
+<sup>2</sup> David Trim, “The Global Church Member Survey” (2018), http://www.adventistresearch.org/sites/default/files/files/AC2018%20-%20Global%20Church%20Member%20Survey%20Data%20Report.pdf; Duane McBride, “The Global Church Member Survey: Encouragement and Challenges,” _Focus: The Andrews University Magazine 55_, no. 1 (winter, 2018): 9.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Peter Dunn, “4 Discipleship Lessons from a Global Perspective” (2014), https://ethicsdaily.com/4-discipleship-lessons-from-a-global-perspective-cms-21906/.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Patrice Johnstone, _Operation World: The Day-by-Day Guide for Praying for the World_ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993), p. 472.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Dunn; Jane Thayer, _Teaching for Discipleship: Strategies for Transformational Learning_. (Berrien Springs, Michigan: LithoTech, 2015), pp. 137-140.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Thayer, pp. 137-140.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Barna Group, “Most American Christians Do Not Believe that Satan or the Holy Spirit Exist” (2009), https://www.barna.com/research/most-american-christians-do-not-believe-that-satan-or-the-holy-spirit-exist/.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Paul G. Hiebert, _Transforming Worldviews: An Anthropological Understanding of How People Change_. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008), p. 11.
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+title: The Importance of Contextual Discipleship
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+---
+title: "What’s Missing: CH- -CH?"
+---
+
+_Paul Tompkins, D.Min._
+
+I first saw the title question posed on a wayside pulpit outside a church in the south of England. The missing letters, of course, are UR. The church in question was highlighting that it would love to see more people attending.
+
+There is a bigger picture also. It can also be said that what is missing are people that you and I know and whom we hold dear. The loss of young people through the back door is a real issue for the church today. It is imperative that we take steps to make sure that as many as possible of those growing up in the church will remain active members.
+
+They are our family, friends, and loved ones. “The church can have no higher priority than stemming the loss of young adults and winning back those who have left its ranks.”<sup>1</sup>
+
+As a church we have been holding global summits focusing on Seventh-day Adventist Church membership retention since 2013. As a reminder, the headline from the first summit was “1 in 3 Leave Over the Past 50 Years.”<sup>2</sup>
+
+While speaking at a Youth Week of Prayer at a junior college in Scandinavia, I asked the question “Do you think you’ll still be an Adventist at age 40?” One young woman, in the top class, answered, “I hope I’ll still be an Adventist at age 40, but I’m not so sure about next year.” This illustrates that for young people the future whispers, but the present shouts!
+
+Following the 2013 Nurture and Retention Summit the _Adventist Review_ published a report that included three affirmation statements. The first two involved a commitment to intentionally discipleship new members, whereas, the third of these stated, “Responsibility for ensuring that every church member remains part of the body of Christ, and for reconnecting and reconciling with those who do not, is mutually shared by the church at large, each congregation, and every church member.”<sup>3</sup>
+
+The challenge has not gone away, for earlier this year, in the first quarter of 2019, the No 1 risk evaluation for the trustees of my home Union was “Children and Young Adults not buying into Adventism.”<sup>4</sup>
+
+These are usually second-generation Adventist youth, and the question must be asked, What can be done to stop the hemorrhaging of one of our most valuable assets? These youth are leaving for all sorts of reasons, and some they find hard to articulate. Could it be that many just don’t feel the church of their childhood faith is the same as that of their adult faith?
+
+### Personal Research
+
+A personal research project<sup>5</sup> among young people who have left the church has brought the following convictions:
+
+1. As a church we need to place in operation throughout the world church a plan that allows for every youth growing up in an SDA home to receive access to a basic youth-related Bible study course by the time they reach their fourteenth birthday.
+
+2. This should be backed up by a youth first program targeting the key transition ages between 14 and 17. Widespread public campus ministry programs, including discipleship groups, are needed for the 18-25 age group.
+
+3. We also need effective discipleship and spiritual growth for the 30s and 40s age group based at the local church. If we lose them, the fact is that we also lose their children.
+
+Adventist young people tell us that the church matters, not only in theory or as something to believe in, but also regarding their own faith experience.<sup>6</sup> It seems clear to me, from both personal research and extensive reading on the matter, that young people want to see the following attributes in their local church:
+
+- A spiritual home for all generations.
+
+- A spiritual home in which Christian values can be lived together.
+
+- Today’s youth crave participation and challenge.
+
+- They want to know whether there is a place for them in their church.
+
+- Service and mission are high on their agenda.
+
+- Intergenerational family warmth and support is valued.
+
+There are also many former or lapsed church members who want the same thing. In my research one or two respondents indicated that they did not feel that they had left—they were simply not attending at the time. They were taking a break from active participation, but that did not necessarily mean that they did not still see themselves as Seventh-day Adventists. From my research, 50 percent felt they would one day return, 99 percent still called themselves Christians, and 100 percent still had a family network in the church. These figures highlight a great amount of hope for the family and friends who remain, praying daily for their loved ones to return.
+
+Allied to this, we should never underestimate the power of warm memories, roots, and a search for past identity. One of the respondents to the pilot survey I conducted answered, “I still carry with me and remember a lot of what I was taught. I get my children to pray every evening, but need to learn more so I can answer their questions.” Another stated, “My departure from the church was a gradual one. If there is going to be a return, it’ll also be a gradual one.”
+
+### Roots and Identity
+
+So what will bring those forces into play to help precipitate a return? Roger Standing, in his book _The Re-Emerging Church_, looked at baby boomers<sup>7</sup> and posits that “the search is about roots and identity, and a certain degree of familiarity will be helpful.”<sup>8</sup> He feels that almost on a whim many will try at least once to reconnect with church, and most probably with the denomination of their youth.<sup>9</sup>
+
+This was certainly found to be true in another study of returning former Adventists who clearly stated that they still had warm memories from their childhood. “Eight out of ten persons interviewed expressed memories of early Adventism that reminded them of happy times in the church.”<sup>10</sup>
+
+The search for identity is not static. Just as “it is part of finding one’s own identity that pushes young people to challenge to challenge the values of the parents and seek to incorporate a value system of their own.”<sup>11</sup> So too the reverse search for identity may well bring them back one day to their roots. “It is clear, however, that many youth who question their parents’ values and beliefs ultimately accept them as their own.”<sup>12</sup> Roots and identity are, therefore, a powerful combination.
+
+Allied to this, no matter how long or short someone has been away from the church, returning is always a possibility. I cannot stress this point too much. In the course of my ministry it has become very evident that some members who have left the church most certainly do return sometime later. It cannot be claimed that all do, but those returning have included those who later become very active leaders at the highest levels in the church.
+
+On one very notable occasion I met a young woman who had drifted away from the church at a young age. She had attended a church primary school and remembered making a decision as a young girl to give her heart to Jesus—it was specifically when a moving hymn was played in a school worship period. For some reason this was never followed up on, and she left the school, moved to a far city, and drifted away from the church. Many years later I was with a group doing a street mission in the city, and we were inviting people to come to a gospel concert. One of our group was still in contact and invited the young woman to attend. We had testimonies and songs being shared, and the young woman attended the church for the first time in years. When the last hymn was sung, tears began to come down her face—without knowing, we had chosen the selfsame hymn from her youth. She remembered this well and knew that Jesus was calling her home. Here we definitely see the outcome of both God’s providence and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
+
+When conducting my personal study, I formed some pilot study and focus groups, and these groups identified key life stages when a person may be influenced again to think of spiritual matters. These include times when things go wrong (financial, relationships, health, etc.) and when things are going well (marriage and the birth of children). Such occurrences are not respecters of age and can occur at any time, and then the same issues of roots, identity, and familiarity will most likely play a significant role in helping people set out for home.
+
+As people set out for home, it must be recognized that both they and the church will have a number of issues to face at this time. Not all who return, for instance, will be part of a traditional family structure, and issues regarding marriage, divorce, and relationships outside of marriage will need to be faced.
+
+Also, just as youth left at different times and for different reasons, in reality they will also come back in different ways and at different times. Put simply, not all people leave for the same reason and not all returning youth (or adults) will come back in the same way.
+
+Members of local churches will need to have a heart for returning youth and be committed to helping them to reconnect and stay connected. We may have only one chance to get it right; otherwise, they may leave again and this time never to return.
+
+### Intergenerational Churches of Refuge (ICOR)
+
+There is no one right way to position a church, but at this point I would like to introduce the Church of Refuge program. The roots of the program came from the Center of Youth Evangelism in North America, and I have been personally involved since its inception in Europe and know that it has been developed with the needs of young people and the church family in mind. The latest generation of Church of Refuge material is the excellent iCOR<sup>13</sup> package, which offers a wholistic discipleship program that highlights relationships, spiritual growth, and mission, and empowers people for ministry. iCOR “has been developed by the Inter-European Division (EUD) and the Trans-European Division (TED) and is an instrument of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for value-orientated growth.”<sup>14</sup> It has 10 iCOR values that slot into these four areas. It should be noted that “the ten iCOR values are not programs that need to be run. They are life-changing, faith-nurturing values that are vital to true discipleship and Christ’s mission. They are indispensable in meeting the spiritual needs of young and old alike.”<sup>15</sup>
+
+- **Relationships**—connecting, caring and participating.
+- **Spiritual Growth**—worshipping and teaching.
+- **Empowerment**—mentoring, training, and leading.
+- **Mission**—serving and reconciling.
+
+It is important to note that iCOR takes place locally, and when it comes to remaining an Adventist, the local church congregational climate is crucial. Young people need to feel warmth and have a place where their questions can be examined. These were known as the church warmth and thinking climates in the Valuegenesis studies that were conducted by the church in North America, Australasia, and Europe.<sup>16</sup>
+
+A key area to the question at the head of this article is whether the church is ready for our missing young people to return. As I’ve noted from my personal research, it is very significant that 50 percent of my sample group indicated that they wished to return. This is not a definitive figure, but it goes without saying that the church would welcome back with open arms those who have been away. Here a caveat may need to be raised from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15). The caveat is this: What would have happened if the prodigal had met the older son first?
+
+Recognizing this perhaps the question needs to be asked as to What is “Church”? “Church means a lot of things. Church—above all, that means you and your ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ in faith. Church—ultimately, that means us, a community of those for whom Jesus is Saviour, Lord, and Friend. Church—that is how and what we live together in faith.”<sup>17</sup> I think we would all agree that the church should be made up of father figures rather than elder sons.
+
+For some, returning is easy and may indeed be to a local church. Others, however, have tangled lives and will need the ongoing understanding and support from perhaps a halfway house support group as well as their local church family. In looking to the needs of those who have left church, and may wish to return, there is no such thing as one size fits all.
+
+As a church we need to affirm our ongoing commitment to all those who wish to reconnect with the church of their youth. There is now plenty of material to help a church make this step, and includes an _iCOR Information Brochure_, an _iCOR Study Guide_, and an _iCOR Church Board Guide_. More iCOR resources are also in the process of being produced.
+
+What’s in a name? It may be that your church or mine will forge its own identity—iCOR is simply a means to an end. What is more important is that we are there and waiting for when the Holy Spirit impresses people to take that step toward reconnecting. You see, those who are out there are family. My family, your family, our loved ones. We must do everything we can to help them return.
+
+### Lost and Found
+
+Looking further at Luke 15, we have three very powerful stories of the lost. We know them as the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost (or prodigal) son. We tend to concentrate on the first and the last parable of the lost sheep and the prodigal son, but the middle and shortest parable, of the lost coin, is there for a reason. The coin doesn’t know it is lost, and undeniably the owner is the one who has lost it. She sweeps the whole house, however, to find it once more and then calls in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her. This gives rise to the great statement “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10, NIV).
+
+The aspect of rejoicing is an important refrain from the parable of the lost sheep (verse 7). It also finds an echo in the last parable when the father calls for a celebration and states, “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again: he was lost and is found” (verse 32, NIV). The theme of lost and found is how the trilogy ends.
+
+The overwhelming thought in each parable is that absolutely everything was done to find the lost, or, in the case of the prodigal son, to be there when he returned. The times are different, but the principle remains the same. It necessitates someone to go out looking.
+
+It must be recognized that just as there are many links in a chain, Churches of Refuge may well only be one link in the reclamation process. It is not important whether they are the first, middle, or last chain, but rather that they provide a strong link to making returning home possible.
+
+The desired outcome is that returning prodigals have the chance to return to a church home that is ready and waiting to greet them. A church that greets modern-day prodigals in the same way as the father greeted the prodigal son in the parable of Luke 15.
+
+In his book Christ’s Way of Reaching People Philip Samaan makes the statement “The church ought to be a refuge where hurt persons find healing and restoration in Christ and His people.”<sup>18</sup> It can be!
+
+We began with a question. What’s missing: CH——CH? In closing, I would like to reflect that the way that the question is asked, and the way that the church approaches the question, gives the answer meaning. If we slightly reframe the question to read “Who’s There, CH——CH?” The answer, by God’s grace, is UR. With all of our church family, young and old, safely gathered in.
+
+_Paul Tompkins (D.Min.) was the youth director of the Trans-European Division for 15 years, starting in 2000. In 2015 he served as senior pastor of Newbold College church. He currently serves as president of the Scottish Mission, since 2016._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Roger Dudley, _Why Our Teenagers Leave the Church_ (Hagerstown,Md.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 2000), p. 37.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ansel Oliver, “At First Retention Summit, Leaders Look at Reality of Church Departures,” _Adventist Review Online_, Nov. 21, 2013, p. 7.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ibid.
+
+<sup>4</sup> _British Union Conference Trustees Risk Analysis_, March 2019.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Paul Tompkins, “Bringing Home Our Adventist Prodigals: A Strategic Plan to Reclaim Youth in the Trans-European Division” (D.Min. diss., Andrews University, 2009).
+
+<sup>6</sup> Stephan Sigg, “A Spiritual Home for Young People? The Adventist Youth and Their Church Seen From the Valuegenesis Europe Data, Part III,” _Spes Christiana 24_ (2013): 180.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Baby boomers are the generation born between 1946 and 1964. This group reaches retirement from 2011 onward, and Standing feels that when faced with issues of their own mortality, they will seek to reconnect with the church of their youth.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Roger Standing, _Re-Emerging Church: Strategies for Reaching a Returning Generation_ (Abingdon, UK: The Bible Reading Fellowship, 2008), p. 10.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Roger Standing sees in particular the baby boom generation searching for their roots when they hit retirement age (from 2011) and when they will inevitably be faced with the big questions of life. They are the generation that still has a biblical background, and as such he feels they will turn back to the denomination of their youth.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Tim Lale and Pat Habada, _Ten Who Came Back_ (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1998), p. 157.
+
+<sup>11</sup> A. Barry Gane, “Reclaiming Our Youth,” _Youth Ministry Accent_, January-March 2006, p. 17.
+
+<sup>12</sup> Ibid.
+
+<sup>13</sup> iCOR Information Brochure: _Building Spiritual Homes: Living Our Values Together_.
+
+<sup>14</sup> Ibid.
+
+<sup>15</sup> iCOR Church Board Guide: _Building Spiritual Homes: Living Our Values Together_, p. 8.
+
+<sup>16</sup> The Valuegenesis surveys have involved a major study of adolescence and youth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These studies have been carried out separately in the North American, Australasian, and European divisions. The European Valuegenesis study was a collaborative project of the Inter-European and Tans-European divisions in 2007.
+
+<sup>17</sup> Stephan Sigg, in iCOR Study Guide: _Building Spiritual Homes: Living Our Values Together_, p. 12.
+
+<sup>18</sup> Philip G. Samaan, _Christ’s Way of Reaching People_ (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1990), p. 30.
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+---
+title: "Cure for Hezekitis: How to Reach and Retain the Younger Generation"
+---
+
+_Gary Blanchard_
+
+How do we reach and retain the younger generation? Without a doubt this is one of the biggest questions being asked by parents, youth leaders, teachers, and church administrators around the world. Especially as we hear reports that between 60 and 70 percent of our youth disappear from active church life in their 20s and never return. Interestingly, but not shockingly, the reason for this crisis is clearly spelled out for us in the Word of God. Go figure!
+
+In Isaiah 38 we learn about the God-fearing King Hezekiah, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness but by the grace of God was healed and given 15 more years of life (verse 5). However, in the next chapter we learn that visitors from Babylon came to “congratulate” him on his recovery, and in an act of complete stupidity King Hezekiah showed them all the treasures of the kingdom (Isaiah 39:1, 2). When the delegation left, Isaiah the prophet confronted the king, prophesying that the Babylonians would return, take the treasures for themselves, and kidnap and castrate their kids, making them slaves in Babylon.
+
+Now, notice Kings Hezekiah’s shocking response to this terrible news! “‘This message you have given me from the Lord is good.’ For the king was thinking, ‘At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime’” (Isaiah 39:8, NLT).
+
+Why are we losing so many young people today? Why are they being dragged away from the church and assimilated into the world? Because this kind of attitude, we will call it Hezekitis, is also coming from the older generation! Notice that King Hezekiah was a godly man and was one of the greatest kings Israel ever had, but like many godly church leaders today, he was more concerned about the present, about his generation, and gave little thought to the future and those who would one day lead!
+
+Sadly, it was during the extra 15 years of life God had granted him that Hezekiah and his wife had a child that would become one of the most wicked kings in Israel’s history! He was godless, lawless, and heartless, and the Bible testifies that he became a leader who “led them [Israel] to do even more evil than the pagan nations that the Lord had destroyed when the people of Israel entered the land” (2 Kings 21:9, NLT).
+
+Currently in the United States everything from guns to drugs is being blamed for the state of affairs among our nation’s youth. Violence is high, and you can’t watch the news without another school shooting or violent act being committed by the younger generation. Of course, this reality is reflected in other countries as well, but few are aware of the real systemic problem behind the moral free fall among the younger generation. It is the conviction of this writer that Hezekitis is the problem—like King Hezekiah, we are either preoccupied with our own generation or unconscious of the desperate need of the younger generation for our proactive attention. Among this generation is a deep need realized or not for spiritual fathers—an older generation who cares for the lives and souls of the up-and-coming Manassehs (millennials and Generation Z).
+
+But there is great news! God has a cure for Hezekitis and real hope for a Manasseh generation! God’s Word predicts that just before His return, He will send “Elijah the prophet,” who will “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:5, 6, NKJV). Interestingly. Ellen White compares Elijah to those living at the end of time. She writes, “Elijah was a type of the saints who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ and who will be ‘changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump,’ without tasting of death.”<sup>1</sup> So just before the return of Christ, God will raise up a generation that will cure His church of Hezekitis as they wholeheartedly pursue intergenerational youth ministry.
+
+Elijah the prophet was without question one of the greatest youth leaders in the Old Testament. He was a godly man like Hezekiah, but one who cared for the younger generation and did more than just preach “total youth involvement.” Elijah “rolled up his sleeves” and invested compassionately into the younger generation as if the future of the church depended upon it! Elijah understood that effective youth ministry is intergenerational, and he did three profound but simple things to cure Hezekitis!
+
+### Care
+
+First, he cared for them. You will remember when the widow of Zarephath’s son died, it was Elijah that carried the boy’s body upstairs, stretched himself over him three times, and cried out to God to bring him to life. Intergenerational ministry follows a simple formula—proximity + prayer = revival. When the older generation builds close relationships with the younger generation (proximity) and cries out earnestly for their spiritual revival (prayer), supernatural things happen! You will remember, in Ezekiel 37, that it was only after Ezekiel prayed for the Spirit to revive the dry bones that the army of God came to life (verse 10). I believe this prophesy applies specifically to our army of youth, but that’s another article. Caring for this generation is about praying earnestly for their spiritual revival as we pursue close relationships with them.
+
+I love how Ellen White herself appeals for more proximity and prayer in regard to intergenerational youth ministry: “The youth are the objects of Satan’s special attacks; but kindness, courtesy, and the sympathy which flows from a heart filled with love to Jesus will gain their confidence, and save them from many a snare of the enemy. . . . There must be more study given to the problem of how to deal with the youth, more earnest prayer for the wisdom that is needed in dealing with minds. . . . We should seek to enter into the feelings of the youth, sympathizing with them in their joys and sorrows, their conflicts and victories. . . . We must meet them where they are, if we would help them. . . . Let us remember the claim of God upon us to make the path to heaven bright and attractive.”<sup>2</sup>
+
+#### Helpful Resources
+
+The General Conference Youth Department has an excellent resource that will help you, your church, conference, union, and division become more effective and intentional about caring for the younger generation and curing the Hezekitis among us. The resource is called Intergenerational Churches of Refuge, or iCOR. It is a resource that church leaders can study preferable with their leadership teams in order to care intentionally and effectively for the younger generation. You can download the resource for free at youth.adventist.org. Also stay tuned for training opportunities at @gcyouthministries and youth.adventist.org.
+
+### Challenge
+
+Second, Elijah challenged them. On Mount Carmel he did not preach smooth and comfortable messages. Instead he shook the younger generation up by challenging them to get off the fence and follow the Lord wholeheartedly. “If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him,” he declared (1 Kings 18:21, NLT).
+
+Once a young man was sitting on the fence and Jesus approached him, challenging him to get off the fence and follow Him wholeheartedly. The young man said, “No, thank You, Jesus; I want to remain on the fence.” Jesus went away sad. Next the devil appeared to the young man and invited him to follow him wholeheartedly as well. The young man replied in the same way, “No, thank you, I am going to remain on the fence.” The devil smiled and said, “That’s OK, young man, you can remain on the fence. After all, I own the fence!”
+
+Yes, the younger generation needs to know that Jesus loves them, that His grace covers their sins, and that justification is theirs by faith alone and not by works. But where are the challenging messages today? Where are the messages calling young people to live holy lives for God, to keep His Sabbath, to live pure, to grow in grace, to be Spirit-filled and sanctified? Where is the challenge to live counterculture for Jesus even when it’s dangerous? Where are the messages calling for health reform, mission service, tithing responsibility, and respect for religious and political authority? Maybe you’ve noticed that we feature tons of David testimonies but few Joseph and Daniel stories of God’s grace. Moreover, where are the warning messages that the end is near and that faith as well as repentance is required of those who wish to be saved?
+
+Ellen White writes: “The smooth sermons so often preached make no lasting impression: the trumpet does not give a certain sound. Men are not cut to the heart by the plain, sharp truths of God’s Word. . . . When will the voice of faithful rebuke be heard once more in the church? . . . If they were not so rare, we should see more of the power of God revealed among men. . . . It is not from love for their neighbor that they smooth down the message entrusted to them, but because they are self-indulgent and ease-loving. True love seeks first the honor of God and the salvation of souls. . . . God calls for men like Elijah, Nathan, and John the Baptist—men who will bear His message with faithfulness, regardless of the consequences; men who will speak the truth bravely, though it call for the sacrifice of all they have.”<sup>3</sup>
+
+I believe it was the great Charles Spurgeon that warned, “A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep the church will have clowns entertaining the goats.” Oh, Lord, how we need church leaders who will courageously challenge the younger generation the way Elijah did!
+
+#### Helpful Resources
+
+There is no better resource for this than Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy. We encourage leaders around the world to learn from credible Christian authors, but always prioritizing Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy! We challenge Adventist youth leaders to make young disciples for Christ, teaching them to “obey all” that Jesus taught, even the countercultural and dangerous truths (Matthew 28:19, 20).
+
+### Call
+
+Third, Elijah called young people. In the eyes of most, Elijah was an example of ministry success. After all, he was well loved and respected by the church, but apparently in the eyes of God his ministry was incomplete. In 1 Kings 19:16 God “commands” him to pass on leadership to the younger generation! Someone once said, “No success without a successor,” and apparently God agrees. Ellen White writes, “As Elijah, divinely directed in seeking a successor, passed the field in which Elisha was plowing, he cast upon the young man’s shoulders the mantle of consecration.”<sup>4</sup>
+
+Like many of us, Elijah seems to have obeyed God’s command here halfheartedly. I may be wrong with this assumption, but you will remember that when he found Elisha, he threw the mantle over him and kept walking (1 Kings 19:19). This seems to be the common way we mentor young people today. Instead of training them for ministry and giving them responsibilities they can handle, we throw the mantle over them and shout, “Sink or swim, kid. Don’t let us down; after all, you are the church of today!” But calling the younger generation into ministry and leadership is about passing it on, not dumping it on them! Jesus took the young people on His ministry team through a process that took three years. He began with observation (watch Me do it), then participation (help Me do it), and finally activation (you do it). Elijah did the same thing over a period of several years. Sister White writes, “Ministry comprehends far more than preaching the Word. It means training young men as Elijah trained Elisha, taking them from their ordinary duties, and giving them responsibilities to bear in God’s work—small responsibilities at first, and larger ones as they gain strength and experience.”<sup>5</sup>
+
+Thankfully, Elijah grew to be an amazing mentor to Elisha. Some might even argue that he was so good at it that his young successor exceeded him! Ellen White seems to affirm this when she wrote, “When the Lord in His providence sees fit to remove from His work those to whom He has given wisdom, He helps and strengthens their successors, if they will look to Him for aid and will walk in His ways. They may be even wiser than their predecessors; for they may profit by their experience and learn wisdom from their mistakes. Henceforth Elisha stood in Elijah’s place. He who had been faithful in that which was least was to prove himself faithful also in much.”<sup>6</sup>
+
+The greatest compliment to the older generation is the younger generation, whom they have cared for, challenged, and called into ministry, becoming even wiser than they! Unlike King Saul, who grew jealous of his young successor and even worked to sabotage him, Elijah encouraged and equipped Elisha and became a spiritual “father” to him. You will remember that as he ascended in a fiery chariot Elisha shouted, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel” (2 Kings 2:12, NLT). What a compliment to the older generation when the younger generation responds to their fatherly love expressed through caring, challenging, and calling! So, leader, never forget, if the ones you are mentoring grow to be better speakers, teachers, administrators, and even leaders than you, then praise God—you’re in good company, with such empowering leaders as Elijah, Barnabas, and yes, even Jesus, who empowered His followers to even greater things. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12, NIV). Think on that!
+
+#### Resources
+
+The General Conference Youth Department has some wonderful resources for those who want to grow as youth leaders who care, challenge, and call the younger generation to ministry for the Master. Senior Youth Leadership (SYL) is one of these training resources. We also have the new Adventist Youth Leader Magazine, designed to equip leaders around the world to pass on leadership to the younger generation more effectively. Both of these resources are free for download at youth.adventist.org. Why not make sure all the youth leaders in your area of influence have these resources in hand?
+
+### Thank You!
+
+My deepest respects and appreciation go out to the parents, youth leaders, teachers, club directors, pastors, and administrators around the world who are investing their time, talents, and treasures into the generation coming behind them. You are the fulfillment of Malachi’s promise!
+
+On behalf of the General Conference Youth Department, we thank you! Only in the future will we know how much we owe to your vigilance, dedication, and hard work.
+
+Hopefully this article has stimulated your thinking and strengthened your resolve to intentionally lead God’s church in caring, challenging, and calling the younger generation. I believe this article contains the key to reaching and retaining the younger generation. The cure for Hezekitis is simple but not easy. We as church leaders must act intentionally now!
+
+What matters most in these last days is that we pour into the younger generation and resist the urge to care only for ourselves and our generation. Now is the time for the Elijah leaders to step up and stand out in behalf of the younger generation. It’s time to intentionally care, challenge, and call them! As mentioned above, Hezekiah was a godly king, and no doubt he cared deeply for his son Manasseh, but life has a way of forcing priorities, and if we are not careful, it is highly likely that our priority will be for ourselves and will naturally lead to neglecting the needs of the younger generation. But Jesus will help us; He prioritized children, and He can put this same desire within each of us.
+
+Why not take some time in the next few days or weeks to come up with a written and intentional plan to “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children” in your area of influence?
+
+Never forget that Malachi 4:5, 6 is not just a promise—it’s a warning! “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise
+
+I will come and strike the land with a curse” (NLT).
+
+_Gary Blanchard is the General Conference Youth Director and has worked as a District Pastor, Bible Teacher, Academy Chaplain, Youth Pastor and most recently as the Texas Conference Youth Director. He is married to his best friend Erica and is the proud father of Gary, Ben and Sierra. Gary loves long walks in the woods and raising dogs. Gary’s life mission is to help young people experience the grace of The Lord and become active in taking the Three Angels message to the world._
+
+_Pass it on! Identity, mission, leadership_
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _Prophets and Kings_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1917), p. 227.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ellen G. White, _Gospel Workers_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1915), pp. 207-212.
+
+<sup>3</sup> E. G. White, _Prophets and Kings_, pp. 140-142.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ibid., pp. 219, 220.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Ibid., p. 222.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Ibid., p. 228.
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+title: "Cure for Hezekitis: How to Reach and Retain the Younger Generation"
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+---
+title: Rethink Church
+---
+
+_Stephan Sigg, D.Min._
+
+“In church I always feel as if I do not comply.” This is what my daughter said when we had a rather random chat about her local church experience. Back then she was about 15 years old. Interestingly, she couldn’t specify and identify directly the things that nurtured her impression. “It is everywhere.” Although a teenager is almost by nature vulnerable to feelings of inferiority, her summary struck me. I was a conference youth director at that time, and my daughter’s feelings echoed many other similar talks I had with young people about church. Programdriven as I was, my immediate reaction has been to ask: “What can we do?” “What are the things we need to change?” It took me some time to realize that it is less about the things we do than about the people we are.
+
+Those teenage feelings come from deep within and are mainly triggered by the spiritual-social environment we create as a church. We make them feel this way because we are the church, and it reflects who we are and what God we follow. Finally, the church is God’s society in this world, a reflection of His kingdom and a living expression of the transforming power of His love. The church “is a social reality that is called to embody the gospel”<sup>1</sup> and as such the church is inherently both, a spiritual and social entity. We cannot have the one without the other. Spiritual growth, therefore, goes hand in hand with social growth. Growing in our relation to God implies growing in our relation to each other, thus forming a new community that follows the way of Jesus in all aspects of life. Biblically speaking, this interdependency is a simple truth: you cannot love God but hate your brother (1 John 4:20, 21). Serving God implies serving my neighbor. Yet in discussions about church we are repeatedly confronted with the assertion that church is about God, not about people. Such an understanding reduces the church to a place we go to worship and individually ponder and adore God. The notion “I’m in worship” usually informs us that I am sitting in the pew attending or participating in a religious program. But church, the ecclesia, is first and foremost a people, not a worship program or a set of spiritual traditions and practices we need to uphold and defend. Although it is hurtful, maybe the current wave of church dropouts can serve as a wake-up call for us to rethink what church is all about and to reconnect with our New Testament roots.
+
+### Church is Relational
+
+Despite the fact that the phenomenon of deconversion, especially among young people today, is complex and multifarious, there is a common consent in studies about and among dropouts that meaningful relationships and the experience of community are crucial factors regarding church affiliation and faith identification. Whether a faith or believe system is seen as coherent and plausible relies not only on the facts (the truths) and individual experiences but also, and maybe even more so, on belonging to a loving community that authentically reflects as well as relevantly imparts and embodies this faith.
+
+We learn this also from families of faith. The nucleus family is, idealistically speaking, the basic loving human community we are born into. Cross-generational studies regarding the transmission of faith now confirm that “the quality of the relationship between parent and child is a crucial component of the degree to which transmission of religion occurs. When children perceive their relationship with parents as close, affirming, and accepting, they are more likely to identify with their parents‘ religious practices and beliefs, while relationships marked by coldness, ambivalence, or preoccupation are likely to result in religious differences.“<sup>2</sup>
+
+This linkage between successful faith transmission and loving relationship is not only a central feature of the nucleus family—it also applies to the church as an extended family. These are the two social entities God directly constituted, the family and the church. This is where life (and faith) is protected, nurtured, cared for, fostered, and equipped for further expansion. “If formation in faith does not happen there, it will—with rare exceptions—not happen anywhere.“<sup>3</sup> Empirical research in the field of youth retention widely demonstrated “that spiritual and religious communities and role models represent an enormously significant resource for the value formation and development of religiousness in emerging adults.“<sup>4</sup> And yet, too many young people are leaving.
+
+However, the vast “majority of young dropouts are not walking away from faith, they are putting involvement in church on hold.”<sup>5</sup> In his longitudinal study among young Adventists from 15 to 25 years of age Roger Dudley has already pointed to this fact by summarizing: “The reason for leaving and staying away from the church is not doctrinal but relational.”<sup>6</sup> In this light, the current dropout rates among young people can be understood like the temperature on a thermometer telling us as a church that we have a sick patient—and we are the patient. The young people do not just leave the church, they leave what we made the church to be. Therefore, before asking What we can do to stem the loss of young people? we should ask What is God’s idea of His church? If we ask Jesus, it is all about being God’s family.
+
+### The Family of Jesus
+
+It happened as Jesus was teaching in a house packed with people that, all of a sudden, the crowed got uneasy, and the information was passed to Jesus: “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you” (Mark 3:32, NIV). What happened next must have been quite a shocking moment for Jesus’ disciples and compatriots. Everyone would have understood if Jesus had stopped His lesson and paused for a moment to meet His family, since family at that time was everything.<sup>7</sup> Culturally it would have been the appropriate reaction to give everyone a break and to follow the call of His mother and brothers. But that is not what Jesus did. Rather He used the situation for a very profound teaching. He was even ready to embarrass His mother. “Who are my mother and my brothers?” (verse 33, NIV). In the course of His argument Jesus refers to those sitting at His feet and who are ready to follow God’s will as His mother, sisters, and brothers. True family is not a question of blood relationship but of “Jesus relationship.” We, the _ecclesia_, are family, and that means a hundred times more than any natural kinship.“
+
+See, we have left all and followed You” (Mark 10:28, NKJV), Peter said, so “What about us?” What Peter means with “we have left all” refers to their families and their life script in the context of their kinship. Jesus took up that line of thought and responded: “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life” (verses 29, 30, NKJV). Despite the fact that as followers of Christ we might even face persecution, what we gain by following Jesus is true family. We will have a hundred times more fellow sisters and brothers, mothers and spiritual mentors, role models and spiritual “children” (Philemon 10; 1 John 2:1). What Jesus promised His disciples was not just the eternal life in the age to come but already in the here and now, the relational and social capital of His church, us—_God’s_ family.
+
+There is in fact no other biblical metaphor in the New Testament that is as profound and fundamental for the understanding of the nature of the church as the family. Family language permeates the paulinic and pastoral letters, and it defines the very nature of our relationship to God, our Father. Yes, there is also the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:4), but this metaphor just underlines the relational nature of the church and the connectedness and interdependency of its members under the authority of Christ. Yes, there is also the association with the Temple building (not with its cultus!), which is understood as the ultimate dwelling place of God and that is built up by God’s people who are united and who do live together, Jews and Gentiles, in love and peace (Ephesians 2:11-22; see also Revelation 21:3). The guiding theme when it comes to the church in the New Testament is relationship. As our God is love and a relational being (three but one), by His very nature His church is a relational entity in its very nature, and the family metaphor best encompasses the many facets of such a human and divine community. In this light the church is characterized as an intergenerational faith community of Christ followers where people matter more than programs or buildings. In fact, church is less about sacred buildings we are going to contemplate or spiritual programs we are organizing or attending and more about communities of faith we are living and belonging to and where the gospel is alive. The spiritual nature of the church as God’s family inherently encompasses the idea that the church is social, communal, and relational. It is about people, because family is about people and our heavenly father is about people. Just note how Ellen G. White describes God’s vision for His church: “The church of Christ, enfeebled, defective as she may appear, is the one object on earth upon which He bestows in a special sense His love and His regard. The church is the theater of His grace, in which He delights in making experiments of mercy on human hearts. The Holy Spirit is his representative, and it works to effect transformations so wonderful that angels look upon them with astonishment and joy. Heaven is full of rejoicing when the members of the human family are seen to be full of compassion for one another, loving one another as Christ has loved them. The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of her sacred trust is treachery to Him who has bought her with the precious blood of His only begotten Son.”<sup>8</sup>
+
+### The Church as God’s Family is Mission
+
+As God’s family we are called to be an open testimony to the world (John 13:34, 35), as well as to the heavenly realm for the transforming power of God’s truth, which is seen in the life of Christ and expressed by the Spirit in grace and love. In fact, “the church remembers and tells and embodies the story of Jesus Christ. It shows the world what God calls the world to be.”<sup>9</sup> Through the church the gospel of Jesus Christ does not only become visible but also tangible in this world and among the people.
+
+Faced with high dropout rates of young people who struggle with their church experience and an increasing suspicion toward organized religion in society, we are somehow forced to rediscover the high communal and relational value of being a Jesus family, God’s church. I believe that the growing realities of a post-Christian era and secular culture, especially in the Western world, are forcing us to rethink church and to reconnect with our roots in the faith communities of the early Christians. Finally, that is where we come from. It actually turns out that one of the main factors that the church grew exponentially in the first three centuries was their way to live their family-of-God identity as an open testimony of the gospel in their society.
+
+In line with the New Testament understanding of the church, the early Christians were coined by the idea of being an extended family. It was not just because of the pressures from a pagan culture that the early church communities met in private homes and followed the common social formula of sharing commensality (deipnon), followed by the symposion, where everyone, not just the men (as generally the custom in society), participated and contributed (see Colossians 3:12-17). It corresponded with their understanding of church. “For the early Christians, the church was a family—in word and deed.”<sup>10</sup> The impressive growth of the early church cannot be explained solely by the individual testimony of Christians or the liberating power of the message of Jesus (in contrast to all the pagan gods). Indeed, one of the most convincing reasons was the symbiotic community of believers—people with different social and ethnical backgrounds, ages, and genders.
+
+“Against all odds the early Christians won thousands to the Savior and ultimately triumphed completely over competing religious options in the Roman Empire. And we can trace much of the vitality of the Christian movement to the surrogate family values and behaviors that characterized local church life.”<sup>11</sup>
+
+In view of the early Christian church growth and based on Jesus’ statement that “all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, NKJV) Bryan Stone is certainly right to say that “the most evangelistic thing the church can do . . . is to be the church, not merely in public but as a new and alternative public; not merely in society but as a new and distinct society, a new and unprecedented social existence. On this view, any evangelism for which the church is irrelevant, an afterthought, or instrumental cannot be Christian evangelism.”<sup>12</sup> The relational and communal nature of the church is not in conflict with a mission focus but rather builds its fundament.
+
+Building intergenerational faith communities that embody the gospel of Jesus and thus the “truth,” therefore, must be at the top of our missional agenda. This is a biblical mandate not only because times are changing, and people are much more asking for authentic communities and good ways to live than just true doctrines, but also because it is rooted in the very nature of the God we follow.
+
+The “family of Jesus” must be a living reality, and if we truly understand ourselves as God’s family, we are not just committed to uphold the truth in this world, but to live it. Finally, we have decided to follow Jesus. Therefore, we need to be more than being right, since “the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5, NKJV). Regardless of our personal piety “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6, NKJV). As God’s people and the family of Jesus, we are called to reflect God’s character of love to the world. This happens through the works of love and in service to the people. In this context “the church doesn’t have a social strategy, the church is a social strategy.”<sup>13</sup> Ellen G. White has expressed it this way: “The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to ‘the principalities and powers in heavenly places,’ the final and full display of the love of God.”<sup>14</sup>
+
+In this light and understanding of being church, it can never be our primal task in our thinking about nurture and retention just to come up with running better worship services and better spiritual programs, but rather to better be and provide a spiritual home for people of all ages. As God’s family the church is a loving, caring, and nurturing community that empowers and supports its members to connect with each other, and live up to their full potential in Christ. Just like a family, the church has to be intergenerational, with young and old working together for God’s glory. That Jesus identifies with us as His siblings is pure grace and a privilege that is hard to grasp. However, it also marks the fact that as our ultimate Brother, Jesus is our model we follow, and in Him we learn to understand what family we belong to.
+
+_Stephan Sigg (D.Min., M.A.) is an ordained Pastor and President of the Swiss German Conference and the Swiss Union of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served ten years as a Conference Youth Ministries Director in Switzerland and seven years as Youth Ministries Director of the InterEuropean Division. In addition, Dr. Sigg was a full-time lecturer at the Friedensau Adventist University in Germany in the field of Applied Theology. He received his Doctor of Ministry at Andrews University with a special focus on youth evangelism in a postmodern context. He was the speaker of the satellite based youth evangelism Link2Life in 2002 and 2004 which has been broadcasted in the German speaking fields of Europe. Dr. Sigg is the initiator and author of iCOR (Intergenerational Church of Refuge, icor.church). iCOR is a value based church development initiative to support local congregations to reconnect with the New Testament vision of being God’s Family and a living expression of the Gospel. He is married since more than 30 years to Gabriela and proud father of two adult children. Stephan Sigg loves the mountains and all kinds of outdoor activities._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Alan Kreider, ”They Alone Know the Right Way to Live,“ in Mark Husbands and Jeffrey P. Greenman, eds., _Ancient Faith for the Church’s Future_ (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2008), p. 184.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Vern L. Bengtson, Norella M. Putney and Susan Harris, _Families and Faith: How Religion Is Passed Down Across Generations_ (New York: Oxford University Press, 2013), p. 98.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Christian Smith and Patricia Snell, Souls in _Transition: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults_ (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), p. 286.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Gina Magyar-Russell, Paul J. Deal, and Iain Tucker Brown, ”Potential Benefits and Detriments of Religiousness and Spirituality to Emerging Adults,“ in Carolyn McNamara Barry and Mona M. Abo-Zena, eds., _Emerging Adults’ Religiousness and Spirituality: Meaning Making in an Age of Transition_ (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014), p. 49.
+
+<sup>5</sup> David Kinnaman, _You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church . . . And Rethinking Faith_ (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011), p. 27.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Roger L. Dudley, _Why Our Teenagers Leave the Church: Personal Stories From a 10-Year Study_ (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 2000), p. 99. See also p. 39.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Unlike our individualistic culture today, in Jesus’ time one’s identity, life script, and future were determined by the family and the kinship you belonged to. A son stepped into the footsteps of his father and was usually referred to as the “son of” so and so. In fact, there was no stronger relational bond than that to your parents, siblings, and relatives. The loyalty to your family was even more important than the loyalty to your spouse.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Ellen G. White to S. N. Haskell, May 30, 1896.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Graham Hill, _Salt, Light, and a City: Ecclesiology for the Global Missional Community, Volume 1_, Western Voices, 2nd ed. (Eugene, Oreg.: Cascade Books, 2017), p. 156.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Joseph H. Hellerman, _When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus’ Vision for Authentic Christian Community_ (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2009), p. 117.
+
+<sup>11</sup> Ibid., p. 214.
+
+<sup>12</sup> Bryan Stone, _Evangelism After Christendom: The Theology and Practice of Christian Witness_ (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2007), pp. 15, 16.
+
+<sup>13</sup> Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon, _Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony_, 25th anniv. ed. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2014), p. 43. (Italics original.)
+
+<sup>14</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Acts of the Apostles_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 9.
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+---
+title: Feeding the Core, not Entertaining the Fringe
+---
+
+_Paul Tompkins, D.Min._
+
+The Seventh-day Adventist Church is losing far too many of its young people. The trend is hurting the worldwide church, the local congregation, and individual families. The church has prioritized discipleship as a key factor in reversing this decline, but the method to achieve this remains unclear and often falls into the category of “one size fits all.”
+
+We know that we must focus on children and youth as an immediate priority, and this is a critical issue for all church leaders. This paper was first presented at the 2019 General Conference Nurture and Retention Summit as a workshop presentation, and will propose that young people wish to be challenged and additionally that they want to be part of a church that inspires them to act. To do this, we need to work inside out rather than outside in. That’s also how Adventist youth ministry began.
+
+From my own context, and reflecting on the findings from the European Valuegenesis survey (2006/2007), the comment was made that “we need to feed the core, not default to entertaining the fringe.”<sup>1</sup> In other words, our emphasis should be on strengthening and nurturing the faith of our committed young people, as they are the ones that are ready and willing to move forward.
+
+This may well mean that we need rethink our strategy for reaching and keeping our youth. A recent book states that young people face three ultimate questions as they grow and develop: Who am I? Where do I fit? and What difference do I make?<sup>2</sup> These questions are best answered through a faith community modeling “God’s grace, love, and mission.”<sup>3</sup>
+
+It is an urban myth that to reach young people we need a watered-down teaching style.<sup>4</sup> Sometimes it is assumed that we have to make Christianity seem less radical in order to appeal to teenagers or young adults. Quite the opposite is true! It is also a myth that the church needs to adopt an entertaining ministry program. The church needs to offer something different to popular culture.
+
+In this sense we can look back to the future. The principle of youth action and involvement has been long set, and looking back, this is the guidance that was given at the inception of Seventh-day Adventist youth ministry. Ellen White shared the following counsel:<sup>5</sup>
+
+- As a church we must take our work for youth far more seriously.
+- The salvation of our youth must be a priority.
+- Companies of young people who truly love the Lord should be organized.
+- The purpose of these groups is to organize young people for service.
+- These groups should provide both training and opportunities for service.
+
+Breaking these statements down gives a message that is timeless until this day. The purpose of Adventist youth ministry is still to organize young people for service. “Salvation and Service” has long been the call for youth ministry and is something that needs redefining with each generation.
+
+Young people being involved and moving forward is in Adventist DNA. The Adventist Church was formed largely by young people who in their generation felt inspired by God to do something significant. Ellen and James White, John Loughborough, J. N. Andrews, and others were all young when they stepped out in faith with their zeal and God-given commitment.
+
+At first the church held no age delineation, but later came the perceived need to emphasize a special work with and for our young people. As time progressed, Ellen White observed the work of a group called the Christian Endeavor Society,<sup>6</sup> which had been organized in the 1880s by Frances Clark. This society revolutionized youth ministry by encouraging youth to put their faith into action.
+
+Seeing what was happening, Ellen White stated: “Let there be a company formed somewhat after the order of the Christian Endeavor Society, and see what can be done by each accountable human agent in watching for improving opportunities to do work for the Master. He has a vineyard in which everyone can perform good work. Suffering humanity needs help everywhere.”<sup>7</sup>
+
+The story of the start of the Adventist youth work is well known. In 1879 two young boys, Luther Warren and Harry Fenner, ages 14 and 17, knelt down by the roadside to pray for their unconverted friends. They were troubled by the needs of the young people of the church, and developed the idea of having a boys’ society. They then went home to start youth meetings. Thus started the first Seventh-day Adventist youth society on record.<sup>8</sup>
+
+Apparently, it consisted of five or six boys, and anecdotally I have been told that they first met in their bedrooms, but soon the parents allowed them to meet in the lounge, so girls could also be present. Be that as it may, the activities emphasized were missionary work and the improvement of personal conduct and healthful living. Other societies followed, and soon messages began coming from Ellen White urging the young people to organize for service.
+
+Missionary work and activity to help others was always high on the agenda. Very soon others such as Meade MacGuire in 1891 started meetings and Sunshine Bands to involve young people in reaching out to help others. He too felt a need to do something similar to the Christian Endeavor and Epworth League. Interestingly a report in the Pacific Union Recorder<sup>9</sup> indicates that in Antigo, Wisconsin, this at first met with almost universal disapproval, except from an “elder, a saintly man, who said, ‘My boy, you go right ahead. You may have the church for your meetings, and I will stand by you.’” Apparently 30 members held the meetings on Saturday nights.
+
+Sunshine Bands were started by MacGuire, and also Warren in South Dakota, directing the young people toward missionary work. I understand that names such as “Caleb and Joshua” were given to some groups, which echo a more recent missionary endeavor in certain fields. The point is that young people have always wanted to be active and involved in missionary work and have been met with some opposition, but also, as in the case of the aforementioned elder, support by the church. All this, of course, before the official commencement of the Missionary Volunteer Society.
+
+And so, to today’s generation. Within the church we have seen in the past decade the inception and growth of the Global Youth Day,<sup>10</sup> where the focus has been on “being the sermon” for the day. Youth have been encouraged to go out from the church and help those in need. Recently, themes for the day, such as “Adopt” and “I Care,”<sup>11</sup> have been emphasized to give focus to these activities. This has grown into a worldwide movement within the church, with 24-hour news reports flooding in. The desire within our young people for active involvement is undeniably still there, and the challenge remains to turn this from a one-day event into a lifestyle for our youth.
+
+This is happening, and the Youth Ministries Department is currently emphasizing the One Year in Mission program. “OYiM is a global youth initiative designed to give teams of young professional (18+) an opportunity to magnify Jesus in the cities of the world through the three angels messages!”<sup>12</sup> This is a growing movement that will also be a part of the Impact Indianapolis outreach, running alongside the 2020 General Conference session.
+
+In other areas the influence of young people has also been noted. I work and minister in Scotland, and the Barna Research Organization has recently published their research on the state of the church under the title Transforming Scotland. An overall decline in membership was seen in the participating churches (not SDA), as with many countries in Western Europe. However, an unexpected spike was observed in the faith of young people. The millennial age group was attracted by the following: meaningful and authentic relationships, deep understanding of faith, and opportunities to serve others.<sup>13</sup>
+
+This research, allied to the current emphasis on youth outreach and practical Christian effort in the church, shows that there is a window of hope and opportunity still before us today. Young people at heart are still the same, and they want to be part of a church that stands for something definite and in which they can be involved in sharing this message in practical ways.
+
+The Fuller Youth Institute conducted nearly 1,500 hourlong interviews and analyzed more than 10,000 pages of research data, and discovered that much of what is often thought to engage teenagers and young people isn’t so essential after all. Young people responded that they wanted challenge and opportunities to act and to make a difference.<sup>14</sup>
+
+We must take hold of this and recognize that challenge is not something to avoid. In fact, young people appreciate challenging and well-presented Bible-based teaching in their church. “Contrary to popular thinking that young people today want it easy, many told us that they love their church because their church inspires them to act.”<sup>15</sup> In short, teenagers and emerging adults in churches aren’t running from a gospel that requires hard things of them. “They are running toward it.”<sup>16</sup>
+
+I believe that is a profoundly defining statement that finds practical application at the local church level. We need to think globally but act locally. The church has recognized this, and as one example the General Conference Youth Department theme for 2019 was “The Year of the Local Church.” They set a slogan of “Give Them the Keys”<sup>17</sup> to involve young people in church life. Putting some flesh on this recent research by the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research<sup>18</sup> has shown that youth would appreciate the following:
+
+- more engagement on Friday evening/Sabbath p.m. (89 percent)
+- allow young adults to take more church leadership positions (83 percent)
+- more days when youth lead out in Sabbath worship (81 percent)
+- allowing young adults to establish and run their own ministries (71 percent)
+
+Our church members, especially young people, want to be involved. One of our church districts in Scotland has established a series of Discipleship and Life groups. These groups act as church access points for both members and their friends of all ages. The groups take part in homes, usually consisting of approximately 12 to 14 persons per home, and run for 12 to 15 weeks in length. Members who attend the discipleship groups for two cycles or seasons (four to nine months a year) are seen to spiritually grow and through participation have a higher likelihood in leading or supporting other groups in the future. This is a pattern that could easily be replicated in other areas.
+
+In summary, could it be that our best days are still ahead if we recognize that young people wish to be challenged and actively involved in the mission of the church? I believe so! Working from the inside out rather than from the outside in means making it a priority to nurture and support our committed core group of young people. These are the ones that we can and must influence the most.
+
+Young people are not the church of tomorrow—they are the church of today! This can become a reality through a sustained emphasis on salvation, discipleship, and service. In so doing, the enthusiasm, passion, and positive influence of these young people will also more than likely attract others. It happened that way for me, and I believe it will for the present generation, too.
+
+_Paul Tompkins (D.Min.) was the youth director of the Trans-European Division for 15 years, starting in 2000. In 2015 he served as senior pastor of Newbold College church. He currently serves as president of the Scottish Mission, since 2016._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Manuela Casti and Stephen Currow, “European Valuegenesis Survey Report” (report presented at a Trans-European Division executive meeting, DeBron, Holland, September 2007).
+
+<sup>2</sup> Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin, _Growing Young_ (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2016), p. 95.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ibid., p. 116.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ibid., p. 27.
+
+<sup>5</sup> See Malcolm Allen, _Divine Guidance or Worldly Pressure?_ (Silver Spring, Md.: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1995), p. 50.
+
+<sup>6</sup> The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor was a nondenominational evangelical society founded Portland, Maine, in 1881. Its professed object was to promote the Christian life and to make young people more useful in the service to God.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Ellen G. White, _Counsels on Health_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1923), p. 537.
+
+<sup>8</sup> _The Story of Our Church_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1956), p. 444-446.
+
+<sup>9</sup> _Pacific Union Recorder_, Aug. 5, 1926, p. 1.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Held on the third Sabbath in March during the annual Youth Week of Prayer.
+
+<sup>11</sup> Theme for the 2020 Global Youth Day.
+
+<sup>12</sup> General Conference Youth Ministries website.
+
+<sup>13</sup> Transforming Scotland (Barna Research, 2015), Part III, “Millennials Study,” pp. 69-75.
+
+<sup>14</sup> Jake Mulder, “What Do Young People Want in Church?” (2016), p. 2, Fuller Youth Institute.org/blog young-people-want-in church.
+
+<sup>15</sup> Powell, Mulder, and Griffin, p. 143.
+
+<sup>16</sup> Ibid.
+
+<sup>17</sup> _Pass It On_ (Seventh-day Adventist Youth Ministries, Strategic Planning, 2016-2020), p. 6.
+
+<sup>18</sup> Galina Steele, presentation at _TED Nurture and Retention Summit_, Montenegro, November 2017.
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+---
+title: What Does the 2017–18 Global Research Reveal about Adventist Young People?
+---
+
+_Galina Stele, D.Min._
+
+It is not easy to be a young person in the contemporary world. It probably has never been easy. However, the demand for being successful, able to adapt to rapidly changing expectations of social and professional networks, is higher than ever before. This creates a lot of pressure on the young generation. Additionally, with the transition from modernity to post and multiple modernities, traditional values and priorities of people have changed. These changes have made their impact on the religious life of young people, especially adolescents. According to the statistics of the General Conference (GC) Youth Ministries Department for the past few years, of the different categories of Adventist young people, the Ambassador Club (ages 16-21) has the lowest membership<sup>1</sup> (see Figure 1).
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 1](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure1.png)
+
+Why do the numbers drop so drastically after Pathfinder age? What happens with our adolescents? And how spiritually alive are our young adults? Does Adventist research show in what areas we should help our young people? This article will present some recent data on young people collected in 2017 and 2018 when the Adventist Church conducted the Global Church Member Survey (GCMS) commissioned by the GC for the 2015-2020 strategic planning. This research was supervised by the GC Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research (ASTR).<sup>2</sup>
+
+### Global Church Member Survey: Subsamples of Young People
+
+The 2017-2018 GCMS became the largest survey of its kind. It was conducted in all divisions with total N=63,756. Many young people (25,460 participants) also took part in it. They comprised 40 percent of the total sample: 12 percent (7,490) were adolescents up to 20 years of age (Generation Z), and 28 percent (17,970) were millennials or young adults aged 21-35. Who are these survey participants?
+
+Almost all respondents (96 percent average) identified themselves as Adventists (87 percent of adolescents and 91 percent of young adults had been baptized). This is important to remember when we look at research data of their beliefs and practices, because these young people consider themselves Seventh-day Adventists and thus represent young Adventists in our churches. Most of them represent lay members who are not connected in everyday life with organized religion. Only 11 percent of adolescents and 28 percent of young adults are or have been working for an Adventist organization or church.
+
+Both genders were well represented, with almost equal division in the young adults sample and with 12 percent more females in the adolescents’ group.
+
+Their family history with the Adventist Church varied. More than a quarter (26 percent) of adolescents and a third (33 percent) of the young people were first-generation Adventists. This means they need additional care from the church. Moreover, 26 percent and 22 percent, respectively, are fourthand fifth+-generation Adventists. These generations can have tendencies to nominal religion if their parents’ religion has become just a tradition and not their faith. Combined numbers of first-, fourth-, and fifth+-generations comprise more than half in each sample. Will they make it or break it? Do their local churches recognize their spiritual needs?
+
+Young people in our churches are busy people. While the adolescents were mostly single, half of the young adults were married (47 percent) or living together with their partner (3 percent); 42 percent of them had children, with at least one child or teenager living at home. Additionally, to complete the picture of challenges young people face in their private life, about 2 percent of the adolescents and 3 percent of the young adults have been already divorced; 2 percent of the young adults were separated, and 1 percent of them were widowed. Another small percent of the adolescents (about 2 percent) were also living together. So the picture is not homogeneous, and is more complicated than one can imagine.
+
+Interestingly, a majority of the young adults (64 percent) had the whole household celebrating the Sabbath, while only slightly more than half (53 percent) of those up to 20 had the same favorable situation. This means that another half of the adolescents live in a household in which not all members celebrate the Sabbath. This can be challenging for the faith of a young person.
+
+So what can we learn about devotional practices, church attendance, involvement in church life, and beliefs of these young Adventists?
+
+### Family Worships and Devotional Practices
+
+Unfortunately, the business of everyday life prevents many young people from regular family worship and daily personal devotions. Only 29 percent of the adolescents and 32 percent of the young adults have family worships daily. It seems very important to restore an Adventist tradition of regular family worships, especially in families with children.
+
+The situation with daily devotional practices could also be better (see Figure 2). A majority of young people don’t have daily personal devotions, don’t read the Bible or writings of Ellen G. White (EGW) daily, and don’t study the Sabbath School lesson. In each of these categories, the adolescents scored lower. The largest gap (12 percent) is in personal devotions. What is even more sobering—almost half of the adolescents (48 percent) and two in five young adults (41 percent) don’t have daily personal prayers at times other than meals. How can they survive in this world of constant struggle between good and evil if they are not equipped and protected by personal prayers?
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 2](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure2.png)
+
+Although a majority of young people do not read EGW’s writings or study the Sabbath School lessons on a daily basis, it is encouraging that on a weekly basis more of them do this (see Figure 3).
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 3](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure3.png)
+
+To increase these scores, we can inform them about available apps, audio, and video versions of the Sabbath School lessons, EGW’s writings, different Bible translations, and devotional materials. The findings show that about 48 percent of young adults and 36 percent of adolescents use their mobile devices for Bible study or personal devotions on a daily or weekly basis.
+
+It is hard to overestimate the long-term value of daily personal devotions in the life of a young Christian. Let’s be intentional in our efforts to help them organize their life in such a way that they have regular time for their personal spiritual growth. EGW writes: “The reason why the youth, and even those of mature years, are so easily led into temptation and sin is that they do not study the Word of God and meditate upon it as they should.”<sup>3</sup>
+
+Interestingly, one of the conclusions of the “Twenty-first Century Seventh-day Adventist Connection Study,” by Douglas Jacobs and his team from Southern Adventist University, was that there is a correlation between regular devotional life and commitment to Adventist lifestyle and Adventist doctrines.<sup>4</sup>
+
+We need to help our young people strengthen their devotional life and grasp the importance of family worship in transmitting religious values to their children.
+
+### Church Attendance, Locations, and Climate
+
+In the modern world young people are not regular churchgoers. The GCMS asked participants about church attendance, sizes, and locations of their churches. Young people answered that perceived attendance in their congregations varied. About 74 percent of the adolescents most likely attend small (attendance of 50 or less) or medium-sized churches (attendance 51-400), 37 percent in each category. Only slightly more than a quarter (26 percent) attend large churches (attendance of 401 or more). As for the young adults, 29 percent attend small churches, while a majority (38 percent) attend medium-sized or large churches (33 percent).
+
+Overall, about 60 percent of the young adults and 51 percent of the adolescents attend churches that are located in large cities, or suburbs, or smaller cities. They moved to urban settings to receive their education and/or to find jobs or schools for their children. However, speaking about youth retention, we need to remember that half of the adolescents still attend churches in rural areas, villages, or small towns. What can be done for young people in smaller churches?
+
+About two thirds of Adventist young people can be called active churchgoers (see Figure 4), which is a very good although not perfect result. A majority (but less than 70 percent) attend church services and Sabbath School weekly or more often. Other church gatherings attract fewer people. We can keep in mind that many of them are married, are raising their kids, and many are involved in studies. Because of these or other reasons, about one third of the adolescents and half of the young adults don’t attend meetings provided by the Youth Ministries Department.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 4](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure4.png)
+
+But how do they feel in the churches they attend? The Valuegenesis studies conducted in the United States and Europe consistently showed that the atmosphere in the congregation plays an important role in young people’s retention. The Valuegenesis Europe research concluded that young people experience the presence of God during worship more and grow in their understanding of God more when the church’s intellectual and warm climates are high.<sup>5</sup>
+
+The GCMS results show that about half of the adolescents, when at church, feel free to be who they are, feel loved and cared and able to use their spiritual gifts (see Figure 5). But what about the other half? Additionally, a majority of the adolescents do not feel closeness and unity in their congregations and cannot voice their opinion. The older group of young adults has slightly different results but the same trend. These feelings could influence their response to the question about their satisfaction with their local church: only half of the adolescents and even fewer of the young adults were very satisfied with their local congregations (see Figure 6). Research also showed that there is a correlation between satisfaction with the local church and programs provided for all family members. This can be an important issue for young families with children. Nevertheless, 73 percent of the adolescents and 80 percent of the young adults said it is very likely that they will be attending a Seventh-day Adventist church for the rest of their life.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 5](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure5.png)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 6](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure6.png)
+
+### Involvement in Church Ministries or Witnessing
+
+Involvement is a crucial component in church member retention, especially when we talk about young people. Those who are involved in church life feel they are part of it. Sense of belonging is a very complex feeling, but without involvement—emotional and/or physical engagement—it is not possible to feel you are a part of anything.
+
+Unfortunately, the data suggest that a majority of young people do not have any responsibilities in their local churches and are not involved in any church ministry during the week or on Sabbath. While some of them (37 percent of the adolescents and 41 percent of the young adults) hold an office in the local congregation, the results show that these responsibilities do not require their weekly involvement. Only 28 percent of the adolescents and 35 percent of the young adults were involved in a church ministry on the Sabbath during the last year. Even less of them (22 percent and 27 percent, respectively) helped with a church ministry during the week. However, the young adults were involved more in church ministries than the adolescents, although still not a majority.
+
+The involvement of young people and their training for leadership are strategic objectives of the Adventist Church. A majority (66 percent average) of young people in each age group agreed or strongly agreed that they play an important role in decision-making in their local church, but less than a quarter strongly agreed. When asked if programs for preparing young people to become leaders exist in their local churches, conferences, or unions, a majority agreed. However, more people agreed that such programs exist on conference and union levels than on the level of their local churches. This is a point for local church leadership to think about.
+
+The local church should be more intentional in involving young people in its ministry. It should create more opportunities for young people to serve with their talents, spiritual gifts, or professional knowledge. As other research shows, it is also important to teach them how to discover their calling and be a follower of Jesus in their workplaces using their gifts and skills to honor God.<sup>6</sup> As Figure 5 shows, only slightly more than half of the young people said they were able to use their spiritual gifts in their local church, and less than half in both groups said they were able to help and serve people in a meaningful way. Valuegenesis research in Europe found that there is a correlation between the longtime commitment of young people to the Adventist Church and supportive congregation where they can use their spiritual gifts.<sup>7</sup>
+
+The survey also asked participants about their involvement in the church mission. A majority (about 70 percent) agreed or strongly agreed that they are involved in carrying out the mission of their local church. But in reality, more than 70 percent were not involved weekly in meeting the needs of non-Adventists in the community or witnessing to non-Adventists (see Figure 7). However, more of them, although again not a majority, were involved in forming new friendships with people outside of their church, possibly because of their contacts with peers in school or workplaces.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 7](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure7.png)
+
+Young people also answered the questions whether their involvement in evangelistic outreach to the community, efforts to meet the needs of the community, caring and nurturing church members, or reclaiming former members should increase. They agreed on all categories, but interestingly, reclaiming of former members scored higher than other categories in their response that it should increase greatly: 35 percent of the adolescents and 41 percent of the young adults said so.<sup>8</sup> Possibly, they have friends or know people who stopped attending their congregations and care about them. Pastors should use this potential.
+
+### Doctrines
+
+The GCMS had some questions on the Seventh-day Adventist doctrines that helped understand how deeply rooted young people are in these fundamental beliefs. The results showed that:
+
+- Overall, young people support Adventist doctrines. Total agreement ranged from 76 percent and up on most of the Adventist fundamental beliefs. These are very good results!
+- Scores of the adolescents were lower compared with the responses of the young adults. In “strongly agree” responses the difference is 6-11 percent, a substantial difference.
+- Although there has overall support for Adventist doctrines, scores in “strongly agree” responses varied (see Figures 8 and 9). The difference showed that young people were less confident in some fundamental beliefs than in others.
+- There was confusion about the state of the dead.
+- Overall, there was strong support for the Adventist lifestyle and biblical position on marriage.
+- High acceptance of salvation through Jesus alone did not necessarily correspond with young people’s relationship with Him and understanding of His total merits in the salvation of humankind.
+
+Interestingly, the most popular doctrine for the young people was an Adventist doctrine about the Sabbath. “The true Sabbath is the seventh day (Saturday)” received the highest score in both age groups in overall agreement (93 percent for the adolescents and 97 percent for the young adults) and in “strongly agree” responses (76 percent and 83 percent respectively). Three other doctrines that broke a 70 percent ceiling of strongly agree responses for adolescents and an 80 percent ceiling for the young adults were: God created the universe, the head of the church is Christ, and salvation is through Jesus Christ alone.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 8](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure8.png)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 9](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure9.png)
+
+### Less-supported Doctrines
+
+Adventist beliefs in the soon second coming of Jesus, the pre-Advent investigative judgment and heavenly sanctuary, Creation week, and the state of the dead received the least support in overall and strongly agree responses in both groups.
+
+#### Jesus’ Second Coming
+
+Overall, 89 percent of the adolescents and 94 percent of the young adults believed that fulfillment of prophecy and events in the world indicate that Christ’s coming is very near. Nevertheless, less than 40 percent strongly agreed that Jesus Christ would return in their lifetime. Interestingly, the adolescents were slightly more confident in that than were the young adults (see Figure 10).
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 10](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure10.png)
+
+#### Pre-Advent Judgment
+
+The least-supported statement and perhaps the least-understood doctrine by young people is an Adventist doctrine about the heavenly sanctuary. The statement “The sanctuary doctrine is vital to Adventist theology” received 44 percent of “strongly agree” responses by the adolescents and 55 percent by the young adults. As we see, the difference in the strong agreement between these groups comprises 11 percent. There were also other questions on the heavenly sanctuary in the survey (see Figures 11 and 12). Young people in both groups were quite confident about Jesus’ role as our advocate, but not that many were sure regarding the beginning of the investigative judgment or its meaning.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 11](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure11.png)
+
+#### Creation Week
+
+Although young people were pretty confident that God created the universe, they were not that sure about the Adventist position on “I believe God created the world in six days of 24 hours each in the relatively recent past.” The difference in “strongly agree” responses between these two statements is 17 percent in the young adults’ group and 20 percent in the adolescents group (see Figures 8 and 9).
+
+The “Twenty-first Century Seventh-day Adventist Connection Study” on recent graduates also pointed out that our young people are more supportive of some doctrines than of others, such as “a six-day literal Creation, the inspiration of Ellen White, the sanctuary, the pre-Advent judgment, and the remnant identity doctrines.”<sup>9</sup> It seems we need to share more information on these subjects, discuss them more with young people, and make sure they see them as sound, biblical, and relevant to their lives. Interestingly, in spite of this, the Sabbath doctrine, which is based on a six-day Creation week, was the leading doctrine for young Adventists.
+
+#### State of the Dead
+
+Research also revealed a lot of confusion on the state of the dead. Although a strong majority of both groups believe that when people die, their bodily remains decay and they have no consciousness or activity until they are resurrected (see Figures 8, 9, and 13), more than a third in both groups agreed or strongly agreed that the soul is a separate, spiritual part of a person and lives on after death. Additionally, more than 20 percent of the young people believe that people who have died believing in Christ are in heaven right now. Some of the young people also believe that Christians may go to witch doctors and that the dead have powers to communicate with and influence the living. This shows that cultural traditions and previous beliefs sometimes coexist. Additional research has shown that in the territories with a long history of the Adventist Church and Adventist education more young people share biblical positions on these questions.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 13](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure13.png)
+
+### Lifestyle Doctrines
+
+#### Healthy Lifestyle and Amusement
+
+Young people understand well the value of basic doctrine for Christian lifestyle: “My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (see Figures 8 and 9). Responses to additional questions on Adventist lifestyle show that 79 percent of the young adults wholeheartedly accept the Adventist position on abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, the irresponsible use of drugs, consumption of unclean food, and a need to follow a healthful diet. Many of them (75 percent) also wholeheartedly agreed that Adventists should avoid amusement and entertainment that are not in harmony with the Spirit of Christ. These responses echoed with those of the adolescents: 69 percent accept wholeheartedly the Adventist position on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; 73 percent on food; and 65 percent on amusement. We can note the 10 percent difference in responses of these two groups on the first and last statements. Nevertheless, in practice, an overwhelming majority supported the Adventist position on abstinence from alcohol and tobacco: 87 percent of the adolescents and 89 percent of the young adults said that they had not used alcohol in the past 12 months, and 96 percent of the adolescents and 97 percent of the young adults had not used tobacco.
+
+#### Biblical View on Marriage
+
+As Figures 8 and 9 show overall, 91 percent of the adolescents and 95 percent of the young adults believe that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. Less but still a strong majority in both groups believe that the Bible teaches that sexual intercourse should be exclusively reserved for marriage. This gives hope that the majority of Adventist young people hold biblical positions on marriage, although the adolescents again scored lower in “strongly agree” responses.
+
+### Salvation Through Jesus
+
+In spite of the fact, that young people have a very strong opinion on salvation through Jesus Christ alone (see Figures 8 and 9), almost half of the adolescents and two in five of the young adults do not believe that every person is born with tendencies toward evil or has a sinful nature (see Figure 14). Additionally, about half in each group believe that following the health message ensures their salvation, and more than two thirds think that they will not get to heaven unless they obey God’s law perfectly. A majority of young people in both age groups also believe that if they are to be saved, they need to be baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
+
+Similar to other questions, the younger group again scores lower in “strongly agree” responses to the question about salvation through Jesus or the character of God. This shows that adolescents have less confidence in God or Jesus than young adults. An overwhelming majority of both groups (89 percent of the adolescents and 94 percent of the young adults) believe in a personal God who seeks a relationship with human beings. However, the difference in “strongly agree” responses between these two groups is 10 percent (63 percent and 73 percent, respectively). The same trend is seen in questions about salvation through Jesus Christ alone, or that people have a sinful nature, that they are saved the moment they believe and accept what Jesus has done for them, and that Adventist beliefs reflect as a whole the loving character of God. The difference in “strongly agree” responses between these groups ranges from 6 to 11 percent.
+
+There is also less certainty in the younger group that prayer in the name of Jesus is the only way to defeat evil powers or demonic spirits: strongly agree responses score 9 percent less (see Figure 15). Sadly, only 59 percent have such strong confidence in Jesus’ power over evil powers.
+
+The conclusion is that we need to help young people to raise their confidence in Jesus as their personal Savior, and encourage them to have personal experience and daily connection with Him. Although this subject is very important for people of all ages, the research shows that Adventist high schooland college-age young people extremely need it.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 14](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure14.png)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 15](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure15.png)
+
+### Spiritual Struggles, Need of Support, and Reclamation
+
+Many young people, looking back at the past 12 months, said that they have grown spiritually (Figure 16). But not all had this wonderful experience. Almost a third of the adolescents and more than a quarter of the young adults said that they had lost some important spiritual meaning that they had before or that they thought that they were in some way spiritually lost. Less of them but still about one in five said that their faith had been shaken and that now they were not sure what they believe. In times like these, young people need support from the church. However, a big percent (40 percent of the adolescents and 43 percent of the young adults) said that they had never received a visit from either of their pastor or an elder. This also shows a great need for having friends in the church. From another research on retention, we know that 62 percent of the young people said that they had drifted from the church gradually, half of them knew that they were drifting away, and the other half had not noticed.<sup>10</sup>
+
+This means that most likely there was nobody close to them to note and rescue them from this gradual process until they drifted far away and became unchurched.
+
+Thus, there is a group of young people in the church that needs support during their spiritual journey. And the church should help them make it! If they’ve stopped attending church, does it have a reclamation ministry? Are there members who are willing to visit them? As mentioned earlier, young people said that their involvement in reclaiming former members should increase. We need to use young people’s enthusiasm to love those people back. And in saving others, they might save themselves.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 16](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-18-what-does-the-2017–18-global-research-reveal-about-adventist-young-people/figure16.png)
+
+### Conclusions and Recommendations
+
+1. The statistics and research data show that high school and college students are groups at risk. We need to focus on the retention of all young people, but especially on the 16-20 age group in all aspects of their spiritual life and service. This group, Ambassadors, is the smallest club in church clubs for young people. And their responses in the GCMS were lower than responses of young adults practically in all questions.
+
+2. Young people need mentoring and support during their spiritual journey. There should be intentional discipleship of young people in local churches. Pastors and youth leaders should model their spiritual lives, and help them create regular devotional habits and a vital connection with Jesus.
+
+3. Local churches need to purposely create a safe environment for young people to feel loved and needed, to safely voice their opinion, ask questions, and be involved in the decision-making process in their local church. Then they can call such church their home.
+
+4. Involvement in church ministry is crucial for young people’s sense of meaning and belonging. Do we help them discover their spiritual gifts and give opportunities to apply them? Only if they feel they are making a valuable impact can they have this sense of belonging.
+
+5. Belief in church doctrines should not be taken for granted if a young person has been baptized. The doctrines should be taught and discussed many times during young people’s personal and spiritual development. In the doctrines they should discover the loving and graceful character of God and Jesus, their personal Savior and Friend. Simply knowledge of doctrines cannot save; only Jesus can.
+
+6. Young adults represent a unique group that is more mature than adolescents, more dedicated and more rooted in the church doctrines. However, their needs, especially those who have children, should not be neglected by the local church. Additionally, their professional skills and knowledge should be welcomed and applied in different areas of church life.
+
+7. Reclamation is an important part of church ministry to young people. Its success depends on the intentional efforts of each local church to reconnect with those who are missing. Young people could be a vital force in this ministry to reach out to their inactive or missing peers and friends.
+
+In conclusion, young people believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is God’s true last-day Church with a message to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ (see Figures 8 and 9). And fortunately, a majority see themselves attending a Seventh-day Adventist church for the rest of their life. Do you want to see them in your local churches, not just on pews but also on the podiums and at the pulpits being wholeheartedly involved? Do you want to see them leading the Adventist Church toward the second coming of Jesus? If yes, we need to help this happen. And we need to act now.
+
+_Galina Stele was born in Russia and worked many years for the Euro-Asia Division in different capacities: as a professor at Zaoksky Theological Seminary, Shepherdess coordinator, and director of the Institute of Missiology. She holds a D.Min. from Andrews University and currently works as research and program evaluation manager at the General Conference Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research. She is happily married to Artur Stele, they have a son and a 6-year-old grandson. Her special interest is in research, small groups, and youth retention._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, _2019 Annual Statistical Report, New Series_ (Silver Spring, Md.: Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2019), vol. 1, p. 7.
+
+<sup>2</sup> You can find the meta-analysis report on the 2017-2018 GCMS total sample at http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Resources/Global%20Church%20Membership%20Survey%20Meta-Analysis%20Report/GCMSMetaAnalysis%20Report_2019-08-19.pdf.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ellen G. White, _Testimonies for the Church_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1948), vol. 8, p. 319.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Douglas Jacobs, Douglas Tilstra, Finbar Benjamin, Cheryl Des Jarlais, Mia Lindsey, Hollis James, Alan Parker, Sharon Pittman, and Octavio Ramirez, “Twenty-first Century Seventh-day Adventist Connection Study” _Research Report_ (Robert H. Pierson Institute of Evangelism and World Missions, Southern Adventist University, 2013), p. 17, retrieved from http://southern.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=26011451.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Stephen Sigg, “A Spiritual Home for Young People? The Adventist Youth and Their Church as Seen From the Valuegenesis Europe Data,” _Spes Christiana: Valuegenesis Europe 24_ (2013): 148, 149.
+
+<sup>6</sup> David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock, _Faith for Exiles: 5 Faith for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon_ (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2019), pp. 36, 37.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Sigg, pp. 179, 180.
+
+<sup>8</sup> ASTR Blog “Global Research on Adventist Young People: Involvement in Church Life and Ministries,” https://www.adventistresearch.org/blog/2019/11/global-research-adventist-young-people-involvement-church-life-and-ministries.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Jacobs et al.
+
+<sup>10</sup> “Leaving the Church: Why Some Seventh-day Adventist Members Leave the Church and Why Some Come Back” (Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists).
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+---
+title: The Spiritually Vibrant Adventist Home
+---
+
+_Willie & Elaine Oliver, Ph.Ds._
+
+When you think about someone who has influenced your faith, who do you think of?
+
+I (Elaine) think about my grandmother, Gwendolyn Powell. She loved her church, her family, and most of all, Jesus. She knew no strangers, and never missed an opportunity to share her faith, with all of us in the household or anyone who came to our door: the mail carrier, the repairperson, the salesperson, or old and new neighbors. Now, to be sure, she would entice you with her wonderful baked goods: cookies, cakes, Jamaican sweet bread/buns, and coconut treats. I do remember her spiritual discipline of praying—three times a day. She would be on her knees first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Even at the ripe young age of 99 she was still visiting sick, shut-in, and elderly persons— praying with them and for them.
+
+I (Willie) think about my dad—a pastor. He was a wonderful man, full of joy, patience, kindness, wisdom, a genuine love for people, and unconditional dedication to his family and his God. Everyone seemed comfortable with him because he had no pretense about anything. He was comfortable in his skin and made those who spoke with him feel comfortable as well. As a child I loved to hear him sing and pray at our family worships. His singing was joyful and filled with gratitude to God for His provision, presence, peace, and salvation. He loved to visit his members and neighbors; he was well known in the community as someone who would help if you had a need. Young and old alike would seek him out for counsel and encouragement. He was my spiritual hero and model, who made me long to be connected to the God he spoke about, prayed to, and preached about His imminent coming. There wasn’t anything I could not talk to my dad about, and I experienced God through the care he demonstrated for my mom, my siblings, and me.
+
+People that influence our faith are people we trust and look up to. It could be family members, close friends, or specific people that earned our trust, such as a church member or a pastor.
+
+When we hear such words as **_nurture_**, **_retention_**, **_discipling_**, **_reclaiming_**, and even **_evangelism_**, we usually look at the organizational structure—the local church. However, our households of faith—our homes—can be centers of evangelism for nurturing faith in God and future commitment to the church.
+
+Today’s households are made up of multiple types of family formations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a household refers to “all the people who occupy a housing unit.” So you could have family members who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption, in addition to friends, distant relatives, employees, coworkers, foster kids, boarders, or others living together in such a unit.
+
+Households can also be classified by types, such as the nuclear family, the single-parent home, the extended family home, empty nesters, families with boomerang kids, single adults living alone, cohabiting couples, same-sex households, and urban families.
+
+When we look at trends in such twenty-first century households, we can see that it is more common to have families with boomerang kids— married young adults who are moving in with their parents to save money. Single adults are living with roommates, and a number of young adults are creating an _**urban**_ family by living together.
+
+We also see millennials delaying marriage and family, and that post-Christian culture is shaping our children and adults. That becomes visible in declining church attendance.
+
+People are using many available resources, such as Facebook/ YouTube/or Podcasts for faith formation. Such resources make it easy to invest in faith without going to a certain church. Access to Bible studies is available from various sources and is no longer dependent on someone’s church or religion.
+
+We do recognize there are multiple types of households that do not fit the traditional or stereotypical construct of family, which are now more the norm than the exception. Most people will progress through several types of household formations throughout their life span. Therefore, pastors and church leaders must have an interest in such diversity of households, since most of our churches do reflect them. Each of these household arrangements holds opportunities for discipling, nurturing, and reclaiming of members through the ability to form rituals and relationships within the household.
+
+In 2018 the Barna Group conducted research on more than 2,000 Christian households to discover how faith is nurtured within households. The study unfolded powerful insights on how faith is handled in practicing Christian homes, and determined that all families can be categorized into four levels of spiritual vibrancy: dormant, hospitable, devotional, and vibrant.
+
+**Dormant households** do not talk about God or faith together; they do not pray or read the Bible together regularly, and they do not welcome nonfamily visitors regularly. This level of spiritual vibrancy consisted of 28 percent of all families.
+
+**Hospitable households** welcome nonfamily visitors regularly— several times a month—and they might participate in some spiritual activities, but not all of them participate regularly. This level of spiritual vibrancy included 14 percent of all families.
+
+**Devotional households** talk about God or faith together; they pray and read the Bible together regularly, but they do not welcome nonfamily visitors several times a month. One third (33 percent) of all families belonged to this level of spiritual vibrancy.
+
+**Vibrant households** talk about God or faith together; they pray together, read the Bible together regularly, and welcome nonfamily visitors several times a month. A quarter (25 percent) of all families consisted of this level of spiritual vibrancy.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Levels of Spiritual Vibrancy](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-19-the-spiritually-vibrant-adventist-home/image.png)
+
+Barna’s research findings also determined that while the size, shape, and trends of households are ever-shifting, the impact of the home remains the same in that it continues to play a pivotal role in instilling, nurturing, and shaping one’s Christian faith. Ellen White states in _The Ministry of Healing_: “The well-being of society, the success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend upon home influences.”<sup>1</sup>
+
+The central theme of the Households of Faiths study<sup>2</sup> expressed how essential relationships are to practicing Christians who engage in thoughtful and transformative conversations about faith.
+
+A previous study by the Barna Group,<sup>3</sup> conducted with 1,714 U.S. adults in 2017, revealed that most people are reluctant to talk about their faith. Some feel it is personal and private, some believe it’s improper, some believe it may make them sound judgmental, and others simply are not interested in talking about faith. Consequently, many Christians have relegated conversations of a spiritual nature to the private sphere and usually only with people they already have an established relationship with, preferably with family members and close friends. This research underscores the power of intimacy in faith formation; in other words, people are more inclined to discuss their spirituality with those who they trust and know well.
+
+Let’s look at some other key findings of the 2018 Households of Faith study.
+
+### The Presence of Children/Minors Catalyzes Spiritual Vibrancy
+
+As Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14).<sup>4</sup> When there are children present there is a sense of curiosity and wonder, which leads to greater opportunities to share faith and have meaningful and spiritual conversations. On the contrary, homes without minors have less give and take. Family members are more independent; therefore, interaction needs to be fostered with the intention to have real conversations and quality time for faith engagement.
+
+### Faith Formation is Connected to and Increases with Hospitality
+
+Hospitality is the key indicator of a spiritually vibrant home. When people come together, conversations happen, ideas are exchanged, knowledge shared, and therefore it is the ideal place to share Jesus and His blessings with each other. That can sometimes be a challenge for couple households like empty nesters. They live more secluded lifestyles where meaningful exchanges happen between the spouses but rarely with anyone else. With intentional hospitable activities, these homes can become more vibrant. Another group that struggles with spiritual vibrancy are young unmarried adults that are living together, usually as housemates. They have more sporadic spiritual interactions, even if their homes are hospitable. Regardless of context and/or season in life, a spiritually vibrant home can be nurtured.
+
+### Spiritually Vibrant Homes Are Characterized by Fun and Quality Time
+
+People in these homes have meals together, share chores, play games, and sing together. They play sports and enjoy each other’s company by doing common household activities. They carve out time for faith interactions, such as family worship, prayer, and Bible reading time. There is even vibrancy in their nonspiritual discussions.
+
+### Faith Heritage Impacts Christian Beliefs and Practices for the Long Term
+
+Passed-down faith is good when there is a warm and emotional connection to the church. Spiritual struggle or wrestling with faith can also be a catalyst for faith development. Especially when it can be merged with positive memories of a church.
+
+Let’s take another look at what a spiritually vibrant home looks like.
+
+Spiritually vibrant homes have meaningful quality time with their family members and housemates in addition to people from outside of the household. Family dinners, fun-filled activities, such as playing games, singing, sports activities, and reading books are a regular part of their lives. These families differ from devotional and hospitable households in that they combine both devotional and hospitable attributes. They are intentional about sharing such faith activities as family worship, prayer, and reading the Bible. They talk about feelings and have spiritual conversations; they engage in intentional spiritual coaching. Spiritual coaches look for opportunities to have reverent moments with individual household members; they share about God’s forgiveness, discuss the Bible, maintain faith traditions of the family, and may also encourage church attendance.
+
+### What Do Our Homes Look Like?
+
+In 1990, 2000, and 2010 ValueGenesis Research studied the faith and values of young people attending Seventh-day Adventist high schools in North America. They looked at three aspects of teen life: family, school, and church. The ValueGenesis2 research revealed good news about the family in that approximately two thirds of the teen respondents reported their family life to be happy, loving, supportive, and warm, which is a slight increase from ValueGenesis1. These statistics are very important in that they continue to emerge as key predictors of spiritual maturity and long-term denominational loyalty.
+
+### Why Do Members Become Inactive or Leave The Church?
+
+In 2014 the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research (ASTR) at the General Conference conducted a research study on former and inactive church members. This research was called Leaving the Church study. In this study 48.9 percent of all participants were members for five years or fewer, 18.3 percent were members for six to 10 years, 12.3 percent were members for 11 to 15 years, and 20.4 percent were members for 16 or more years. When asked for their primary reason for leaving the church, 38 percent of the respondents reported marriage and family issues as primary conflict issues, 33.6 percent reported the death of parents, and 4.3 percent the death of other family members. Another 20 percent reported conflict in the church or conflict with other church members as a reason for leaving the church. More than half of those leaving the church reported relationship issues as primary triggers. A majority (82 percent) of all respondents reported attending church at least once or twice a week, with 36.2 percent attending more than once a week and 45.8 percent attending only on Sabbath. Less than half (41.9 percent) reported their level of engagement in church life as just an observer, and a quarter (25.7 percent) as a participant. More than half (63.6 percent) claimed to be involved in spiritual activities, such as family worship daily or one to three times a week. More than half (62.4 percent) prayed daily, and almost three quarters (72.1 percent) had personal Bible study daily or one to three times a week. When asked if they are open to reconnecting to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 63.8 percent reported they are likely or somewhat likely to be contacted.
+
+The study also revealed that 24 percent of inactive members had just drifted away without a specific reason. The young adults with 63.5 percent are the largest group of people who stopped attending church. The second-largest group with 35.1 percent is the middle-aged generation.
+
+These specific ages indicate times of transitions in people’s lives. The young adults are leaving home, graduating from college, living alone, getting married, and having children. The middle-aged members are becoming empty nesters and are looking for a new purpose in life after their children have gone to college.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Profile of Members Who Left SDA Church](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-19-the-spiritually-vibrant-adventist-home/image2.png)
+
+Roger Dudley stated the following in the book _Why Our Teenagers Leave the Church_: “The reasons for dropping out of the church seem to be highly interrelated. Those who choose to disconnect perceive the church as irrelevant because they sense they are unaccepted and their needs are neglected. They also feel unaccepted because they don’t discern their church as attempting to provide them with relevant and targeted programming. The inconvenience of waking up early on Sabbath morning is another indicator that the church is oblivious to the reality of their lives. This combined with various personal issues and a very high distaste and disappointment with perceived intolerance, hypocrisy, and condemnation have estranged young adults from their church.”<sup>5</sup>
+
+The statement shows the church is very negatively perceived by the young people who are deciding to stop attending church. How can this negative perception be changed?
+
+How can a spiritually vibrant Adventist home help with the nurture and retention of church members, especially with the retention of the young adults and the group of the middle-aged?
+
+The creation of a warm and fun-filled environment has a great impact on building meaningful relationships with members inside and outside the family. It will bring family members and friends closer and give them opportunities to share conversations about real-life problems and faith experiences. Such will help grow faith and help provide a feeling of being valued and included. When families open their homes to others in the church, they create unique opportunities to show love and inclusiveness. These opportunities can help people at risk of leaving the church to feel valued. Newly converted friends that are included in family worship and faith conversations will experience spiritual practices that they may not have learned growing up and can help them to become active members in the church.
+
+In the book _Valuegenesis_: Faith in the Balance, Roger Dudley underscores the importance of frequent family worship by stating: “Family worship seems to be a significant factor in helping youth develop a deep, rich, life-changing faith. It is interesting that something as simple to do as regular family devotions could be so helpful. Think what might happen if this family activity were reinstated in each household?”<sup>6</sup>
+
+Age-appropriate family worship that is interesting, thoughtful, and applicable in combination with true examples of hospitality is the key to the retention of our children in the church. Creating warm and meaningful memories in connection to church life is a key component for nurture and retention.
+
+Spiritual coaching can provide opportunities for real-life talk inside the family or with church friends in the privacy of the home. It can show the power of faith in an intentional caring, nonjudgmental environment. Honesty about feelings of hurt or guilt, disappointments, loneliness, and forgiveness can improve relationships and heal broken relationships.
+
+Empty nesters could become family sponsors and provide spiritual coaching for teenagers in the church or families with young children.
+
+Becoming a family sponsor or host for Spiritual Leadership in the Home studies will help other parents to become spiritual coaches. Giving parents practical tips for how to lead their family in Bible reading, faith-based conversations, and prayer; teaching them how to apply the Bible in their everyday interactions with their kids by practicing love, forgiveness, and caring for each other; and also how to create opportunities to discuss biblical principles will enhance their everyday life and spiritual development.
+
+Spiritual coaching can help families deal with family problems and therefore help with nurturing and retention of church members.
+
+In the following verses the Bible shares knowledge about how to connect with and treat others:
+
+“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7).
+
+“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34, 35).
+
+“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
+
+“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
+
+“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
+
+“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9).
+
+Let us take these words of wisdom to heart and focus on the people around us. When we teach our children about the Bible and how to develop a relationship with Jesus, our faith will also be strengthened. When we open our homes and are hospitable, we create opportunities to share with others what Jesus has done for us. When we support and encourage others, we build relationships and may even become friends. Then our homes will be vibrant homes that will impact the people around us, and we can see God working in each other’s lives.
+
+Proverbs 24:3, 4 says: “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
+
+May the information presented impart wisdom and understanding to produce spiritually vibrant disciples of Jesus Christ, spiritually vibrant Adventist Homes, and spiritually vibrant churches. Let us lead by example so that faith that is sustainable will develop and can be passed down to the next generation.
+
+_Elaine and Willie Oliver have been directors of the Department of Family Ministries at the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church since June 2010. Elaine Oliver is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCPC) and certified family life educator (CFLE) by the National Council on Family Relations. She holds master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling, counseling psychology, and higher and adult education, and has completed coursework for a Ph.D. in educational psychology. Willie Oliver is an ordained minister and a certified family life educator (CFLE) by the National Council of Family Relations. He holds a Ph.D. in family sociology with concentrations in gender and family and social stratification; an M.A. in pastoral counseling; an M.A. in sociology; and a B.A. in theology. He is an adjunct professor of family ministries at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University and at the Adventist University of Africa. The Olivers have been married for 35 years and have two adult children._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Ministry of Healing_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 349.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Barna Resources, _Households of Faith_ (2018), available at: https://shop.barna.com/ products/households-of-faith, accessed Nov. 25, 2019.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Barna Group, _Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age—Barna Group_ (2017), available at https://www.barna.com/spiritualconversations, accessed Nov. 25, 2019.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Bible texts in this article are from the New International Version.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Roger L. Dudley, _Why Our Teenagers Are Leaving the Church_ (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 2000), p. 66.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Roger L. Dudley and V. Bailey Gillespie, _Valuegenesis: Faith in the Balance_ (Riverside, Calif.: La Sierra University Press, 1992).
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+---
+title: Intentional Discipleship of Children and Teens
+---
+
+_Linda Mei Lin Koh, Ed.D._
+
+It is the desire of Christian parents that their children will become faithful disciples of Jesus when they grow up. Hence, from their early years they bring them to church and involve them in many faith-building activities, such as Vacation Bible School, Sabbath School, Adventurers, children’s camp, prayer conferences, and many others. We hope that the church and the teachers will disciple our children and help them grow their faith. However, when these children reach their teenage years, many of them left the church and some never to return. Where did we go wrong? Is it the parents’ fault? Is it because the discipleship curriculum does not appeal to these youngsters anymore? These are questions that concern not only parents, but also church leaders and anyone who works with children and teens. Are we really losing many of our young disciples? What do statistics tell us?
+
+### Statistics on Youth Leaving the Church
+
+**A. Barna’s Research of 2011**<sup>1</sup>
+
+This extensive study done by the Barna Group revealed some new insights into this huge issue facing the Church. In the book by Kinnaman, _You Lost Me, Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church and Rethinking Church_, the study revealed some of the following highlights:
+
+- 1 out of 9 (11%) lose faith in Christianity
+- 4 out of 10 (40%) leave the Church but still call themselves Christian
+- 2 out of 10 (20%) disconnect from Church and express frustration about “church culture” and disconnects with society
+- 3 out of 10 (30%) stay involved with church
+
+Overall, the research uncovered six significant themes why nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect either permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15.
+
+1. Churches seem overprotective
+2. Teens’ and twentysomethings’ experience of Christianity is shallow.
+3. Churches come across as antagonistic to science
+4. Young Christians’ church experiences related to sexuality are often simplistic and judgmental.
+5. They wrestle with the exclusive nature of Christianity.
+6. The church feels unfriendly to those who doubt
+
+**B. Lifeway Research study of 2017**<sup>2</sup>
+
+A second study by Lifeway Research reported that the top 5 reasons for why youth leave the church were:
+
+- Moving to college (34%)
+- Church members seemed judgmental or hypocritical (32%)
+- I didn’t feel connected to people in the church (29%)
+- I disagree with the church’s stance on social and political issues (25%)
+- My work responsibilities prevented me from attending (24%).
+
+Indeed, these results look rather grim and discouraging for parents, Sabbath School teachers, and church leaders. So, what is the point of putting priority on nurturing the faith of children and teens when they leave the church after age 15?
+
+Please don’t give up yet! Ellen White reaffirms the value of nurturing children’s faith when they are young:<sup>3</sup>
+
+“It is still true that children are the most susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians, having an experience in accordance with their years. They need to be educated in spiritual things, and parents should give them every advantage, that they may form characters after the similitude of the character of Christ.”
+
+The Bible teaches that when Samuel was a child, he was growing in the knowledge of the Lord when he was living in the temple under the guidance of Priest Eli. Even Jesus, at age twelve, was growing in knowledge and favor with God and man. If it was vital for Jesus to do that when he was twelve, then it would be wise to look at the years of twelve, thirteen, and fourteen and be more intentional in discipling these youngsters.
+
+### Pivotal Years
+
+Much research has shown that Christian discipleship is pivotal in the teen years. When the children were younger, it was not as difficult in discipleship, but when they hit the pivotal growth point of the early teen years, they start to develop their desire for freedom and independence. When they get to that point in maturity, we think maybe we should step back and let them take over. That would be a mistake!
+
+If your twelve-year-old son recently learned to mow the lawn, you would not say to him, “Here is the lawn mower, so get to work.” It’s a serious tool and either one of the parents should show him how to use it, giving him all the safety tips. Thus, when we look at growing the faith of our teens, there must be someone who come alongside him to help him grow.
+
+### God’s Dream for Children
+
+Parents are chisels in the hand of God, shaping their children into the likeness of Jesus Christ. The Bible is filled with illustrations of individuals who trained and guided their children to follow God’s way. Beginning with Genesis all the way to the New Testament, we find examples of God-fearing parents like Noah, Abraham, Hannah, Mary, Eunice, and others who intentionally shaped the faith of their children to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is right and just.
+
+And Deuteronomy 6:4-7 tells parents to diligently teach their children the ways of God. “You shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up,” (NKJV).
+
+In other words, intentional discipleship—deliberately filling our children’s life with God’s truth—is a vital part of parenting. God loves and cares for children and He has dreams for them that they be spiritually mentored by their parents; that they love Him with all their hearts; and that they obey His commands. Writer Allen S. Nelson in his article for Family Life Ministry identified three reasons why discipleship is important:<sup>4</sup>
+
+#### 1. God Commands It.
+
+The Bible is filled with passages like Proverbs 22:6, 2 Timothy 3:15, and Ephesians 6:4 that show God’s plan for children has always been that parents would be the _primary_ disciple makers.
+
+Sabbath schools, Bible camps, and other church programs can be helpful, but it can’t take the place of parenting. Parents spend more hours with their children than anyone else and thus have greater impact on their lives.
+
+Charles Spurgeon, one of the most influential preachers of the 19<sup>th</sup> century said, “The first and most natural condition of things is for Christian parents to train up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” <sup>5</sup>
+
+#### 2. If You Don’t Disciple Your Children, The World Will.
+
+Our children are exposed to messages from our culture, the internet, and mass media about how they should look, think, and act. We are influenced to look to our career, our possessions, sports, our children’s popularity and accomplishments. We worship materialism instead of worshipping God. Public schools have removed God out of the classroom and society is talking about same-sex marriage. Parents, you need to seriously teach your children the Christian worldview and introduce them to the infallible truth of God’s Word so that our children will be able to discern truth from error.
+
+Ellen White cautions parents of today that:<sup>6</sup>
+
+“It is a most grievous thing to let children grow up without the knowledge of God. Parents make a most terrible mistake when they neglect the work of giving their children religious training, thinking that they will come out all right in the future and, as they get older, will of themselves be anxious for a religious experience. Cannot you see, parents, that if you do not plant the precious seeds of truth, of love, of heavenly attributes, in the heart, Satan will sow the field of the heart with tares?”
+
+We can’t afford to let Satan sow tares in the hearts of our children. Can we? Parents, you must not let the culture dictate to you how you should raise your children. You need to intentionally train your children in God’s way, to seek God’s purpose for their lives, and to know Him as their Special Friend who can transform their lives.
+
+#### 3. True Christian Families Are Living Witnesses to the Community.
+
+People living around you need to see that your family is different; that you worship God and honor Him in every aspect of your family life. Show your children real life examples of generosity, kindness, grace, prayer, and mission. Their friends will see that you all love Christ more than your computer. More than sports. More than popularity.
+
+Ellen White also reminds us of the powerful effect of the family as a witness.<sup>7</sup>
+
+“A well-ordered Christian household is a powerful argument in favor of the reality of the Christian religion, an argument that the infidel cannot gainsay. All can see that there is an influence at work in the family that affects the children, and that the God of Abraham is with them. If the homes of professed Christians had a right religious mold; they would exert a mighty influence for good. They would indeed be the ‘light of the world..’”
+
+### Jesus’ Method of Discipleship
+
+Many parents are asking, “Just how do we disciple our children and teens?” The answer to this question can be obtained from examining Jesus’ method of making disciples. Jesus spent three years on earth discipling twelve men, shaping and growing their faith. Parents, grandparents and pastors who want similar results can glean from how Jesus trained his disciples.
+
+### 1. Jesus Showed His Disciples How to Follow God
+
+Jesus did not simply tell His disciples to follow Him; He showed them how to do it. He went out together with the disciples to show them how to teach, heal, and serve others. Jesus showed His disciples how to read God’s Word, how to pray, and how to share their faith. He went out together each day to show them how to put those principles into practice.
+
+Parents who are intentional in modeling after Jesus’ method can try the following:
+
+- Coming alongside our children to show them how to reach out to others and share the gospel. Teach your children some fun ways of sharing the gospel. Go with them on neighborhood prayer walks to show them how to pray for the neighbors, how to do doorto-door outreach to share a book or any other Christian literature.
+- Modeling a lifestyle of prayer, personal devotions, and service. Provide them resources suitable to their age, such as a child or a teen devotional, prayer journal, etc. Encourage them to pray.
+- Mentoring them to be leaders of the church.
+- Giving them lots of opportunities to practice their gifts and talents at home and in the church. Encourage your teen to lead in family worship or leading song service.
+
+### 2. Jesus Spent A Great Deal of Time with His Disciples
+
+Jesus was not merely with His disciples in His spare time. Mark 3:14 says “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach...” Jesus spent lots of time with his disciples.
+
+In the late nineteen nineties, psychologists proposed the idea that busy parents can still be effective in parenting when they spend “Quality Time” with their children. Such time may be ten minutes a day or maybe longer. But many parents are starting to question whether time devoted to their children can be efficiently penciled into their calendars like their business appointments. According to Ronald Levant, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School in the same era, the idea of just having “Quality Time” is a great misconception.<sup>8</sup>
+
+“I think quality time is just a way of deluding ourselves into shortchanging our children. Children need vast amounts of parental time and attention. It’s an illusion to think they’re going to be on your timetable, and that you can say ‘OK, we’ve got a half hour, let’s get on with it’.”
+
+Parents who really want to disciple like Jesus will need to spend “Quality Time” as well as “Quantity Time” with their children and teens. Teenagers especially need parents to guide them, communicate with them, and be present in their lives as they face many challenges related to their development and their striving for independence. Parents will need to sacrifice time, careers, hobbies, prestige, money, entertainment and possessions in order to be with their children. In reality, “Quantity Time” is what it takes to build deep relationships. Devoting time to our children will provide opportunities for teaching and molding their faith and beliefs. Parents can spend time doing some of the following activities:
+
+- Having regular family worships. Spending time together in the evening for worships builds strong family bonds.
+- Studying the Bible and Sabbath School lesson together. Having a family weekly Bible study is very beneficial for both parents and children in deepening their understanding of God’s Word.
+- Enjoying mealtimes and play times together enriches parent-child relationships.
+- Talking and sharing concerns and issues as well as the joys and thankfulness (no gadgets, please!).
+
+### 3. Jesus Frequently Taught His Disciples Scripture and Showed Them How to Minister to Others.
+
+Jesus practiced Deuteronomy 6:7, but He took it to a new level: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” He frequently taught His disciples Scripture each day when they were walking down the sandy road to another town; He taught about the sower, the Good Samaritan and other things they saw along the way. He taught the multitude as they sat on the hillside; and He taught His disciples while they were fishing.
+
+Parents who want to disciple like Jesus will constantly look for opportunities to pray, read scripture, sing songs, talk about the goodness of God, and show their children how to live through ministry to others. They can practice some of these ideas:
+
+- Encouraging them to begin a personal relationship with Jesus through daily devotions, prayer and studying of God’s Word. Get them a prayer journal.
+- Helping kids discover their spiritual gifts and their passion for ministry.
+- Equipping them to share their gifts in serving the church and the community.
+- Training them to disciple their friends to become followers of Jesus.
+
+The Barna Research Group Research fully affirms the values of these ideas as reported in their book, _Households of Faith_, a 2019 extensive study of practicing Christians and their living arrangements and routines.<sup>9</sup>
+
+One of the goals of this study, conducted in partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries, was to learn from households that appear to be exceptionally engaged in communal and consistent faith expression in the home. Barna developed a custom metric that sorts households by reports of collective, frequent engagement in key behaviors:
+
+- Spiritual practices—defined here as praying every day or two and reading the Bible weekly all together.
+- Spiritual conversations—defined here as talking about God and faith at least weekly all together.
+- Hospitality—defined here as welcoming non-family guests regularly, or at least several times a month.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Spiritual Vibrancy Among Practicing Christian' Households](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-20-intentional-discipleship-of-children-and-teens/image.png)
+
+They found that households that participate in all of these activities at this frequency are what Barna refers to as **spiritually Vibrant**. A quarter of respondents in this study (25%) describes a household environment that is Vibrant. Others describe homes that are Devotional (only participate in spiritual practices and spiritual conversations), Hospitable (only practice hospitality) or Dormant (participate in none of the above), all of which are explored at length in the full report.
+
+Vibrant households are those who engage in spiritual talks with their children, pray together as well as serve together as a family. It is true that intimacy and relationship in our family is a springboard to be able to talk about spiritual things. If we want to hold on to family, we need to hold on to God!
+
+#### 4. Jesus Sent Them Out on A Mission
+
+The Gospel of Luke chapter 10 recorded that Jesus picked seventy other disciples from His followers and sent them out two by two to go ahead of Him into every city and town where He and His disciples planned to go. After Jesus had trained and prepared His disciples, he sent them out to preach and to share the gospel of salvation. The disciples were given opportunity to practice their skills learned from the Master.
+
+In the same way, parents have the privilege and responsibility to teach and model to their children and teens the values of going on God’s mission. They can be engaged in various ways of sharing the good news of salvation no matter where they are located. Have you tried some of the following?
+
+- Providing opportunities for children to share Jesus with their friends and classmates.
+- Showing them simple ways to witness, such as using the Wordless Book<sup>10</sup>, Gospel Flipper-Flapper<sup>11</sup>, animated tracts<sup>12</sup>, etc.
+- Leading them out to serve and get involved in compassion projects, such as packing food and supplies for hurricane victims, distributing blankets to the homeless, etc.
+- Providing opportunities for juniors and teens to go on mission trips overseas. It has been found that youngsters who went out to serve overseas return home with a new perspective of life, and increased gratitude for their families.
+- Discussing & debriefing about what they have learned after going out on a mission trip.
+
+Indeed, Jesus has shown us how we can be effective in disciple making. If we do not want the world to disciple our children, then we need to take our discipleship role more seriously by committing ourselves to intentionally discipling our children and teens. No matter how busy we are as parents, we need to make the spiritual discipleship of our children and teens a top priority. Research has shown that many children accept Jesus as their personal Savior before the age of 13. Hence, it is imperative that we nurture the faith of our children while they are young. Discipling our children and teens requires time, energy and intentionality; but it is worth it! Be an Intentional Disciple Maker!
+
+_A native of Singapore, Dr. Linda Mei Lin Koh is currently serving as the Director of Children’s Ministries at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. She has twenty-four years of teaching experience both in Singapore and in the United States. Prior to her appointment to the General Conference, Linda has served for nine years as Director of Children’s, Family, and Women’s Ministries at the Southern Asia-Pacific Division based in the Philippines. Dr. Koh obtained her Ed.D degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling from Andrews University. She enjoys writing and has co-authored two books and has also contributed many articles for the Adventist Review, Adventist World, Elder’s Digest, Vibrant Life, Kids Ministry Ideas, and other church publications. She loves children and is a strong advocate for children, often seeking to bring awareness of the need to put children first in our church so as to nurture and disciple them for Christ. She is married with two adult sons and six grandchildren._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Barna Group, 2011. https://www.barna.com/research/six-reasons-young-christians leave-church/
+
+<sup>2</sup> Aaron Earls. https://lifewayresearch.com/2019/01/15/most-teenagers-drop-out-of-church-as-young-adults/
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ellen White, _The Desire of Ages_, p. 515.
+
+<sup>4</sup> https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/parenting/foundations/spiritual-development/4-reasons-you-should-intentionally-disciple-your-children/
+
+<sup>5</sup> Charles H. Spurgeon, _Come, My Children; A Book for Parents and Teachers on the Christian Training of Children_, Chapter 8; added to Bible Bulletin Board’s “Spurgeon Collection” by Tony Capoccia at www.biblebb.com
+
+<sup>6</sup> Ellen White, _Adventist Home_, p. 320
+
+<sup>7</sup> Ellen White, _Patriarchs and Prophets_, p. 144
+
+<sup>8</sup> The Myth of Quality Time, _Newsweek_, May 11, 1997. https://www.newsweek.com/myth-quality-time-172948
+
+<sup>9</sup> Barna Research, _Household of Faith_, 2019.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Child Evangelism Fellowship. https://www.cefonline.com
+
+<sup>11</sup> Child Evangelism Fellowship. https://www.cefonline.com
+
+<sup>12</sup> Animated tracts, https://www.letthelittlechildrencome.com/child-evangelism-tools
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+---
+title: Joining and Remaining—A Look at the Data on the Role of Adventist Education
+---
+
+_John Wesley Taylor V, Ed.D., Ph.D._
+
+Given the effort and the costs involved, Seventh-day Adventist parents sometimes wonder: “Does Adventist education truly make a difference? Do the benefits gained outweigh the expenditure? Is sending my child to an Adventist school an expense or an investment?”
+
+Pastors and other church leaders also ponder: “Is Adventist education truly evangelism? Does it justify the resources that we invest? If so, how can we present a persuasive case for Adventist education to parents and other church members?”
+
+Writing to church leaders and educators, Ellen White declared that the all-important issue in Adventist education is the conversion of the student.<sup>1</sup> While there have been studies, such as the CognitiveGenesis research,<sup>2</sup> which have examined the academic performance of students in Adventist schools, this article will focus on two key outcomes: accession and retention—joining the Adventist Church and remaining in the denomination.
+
+So what do we know about access and retention, and the role of Seventh-day Adventist education? In short, there is a consistent and important relationship between attending an Adventist school and the likelihood that a child or youth will join the Adventist Church and then choose to remain a member. We’ll take a look at the evidence.
+
+### Joining the Church
+
+In the biblical model, conversion is expressed through baptism.<sup>3</sup> Baptism, in turn, is a public statement of one’s desire to formally join the church. Is there support for the role of Adventist education in accession to the church? Adventist education is the longest and largest evangelistic event held by the Adventist Church. It is also one of the most effective.
+
+Depending on the country and the educational system, the duration of a school day can range from five to nine hours, and a school year can range from 160 to 260 days.<sup>4</sup> An individual student could attend an Adventist school from a single year to perhaps 16 years or more. At minimum, if a student attends an Adventist school for just a single year, this represents an evangelistic opportunity of at least 800 hours. To use evangelistic terminology, this equates to a person attending an evangelistic series two hours per night for 400 nights. If a student, however, continues in Adventist education from first grade through university studies, the evangelistic potential could increase to more than 37,000 hours.
+
+In Adventist education, 5,705 evangelistic sites specialize in children 5-12 years old, with 51,965 evangelists and 1,188,910 persons attending each day. Also, 2,336 evangelistic sites focus on adolescents 13-16 years old, with 36,711 evangelists and 583,946 in attendance. For youth and young adults, there are 167 evangelistic venues, with 14,103 evangelists and 142,530 attending. All told, Adventist education represents more than 8,000 evangelistic sites, with more than 100,000 evangelists involved and nearly 2 million in attendance each day.<sup>5</sup> Certainly it is the largest evangelistic endeavor of the church.
+
+Is it effective? Each year for the past 10 years there have been at least 30,000 students, and in some years more than 50,000 students, in Adventist schools baptized during the school year, primarily in culminating events such as a Week of Prayer. The total for the 2006-2015 period was 427,313 baptisms.<sup>6</sup> To look at it another way, this is equivalent to a typical-size conference being established each year through the evangelistic ministry of Adventist education.
+
+While only a few studies have compared attendance at Adventist schools with the baptismal rate of children from Adventist families, the ones that have examined this connection concluded that Adventist education does make a significant difference in terms of children and youth joining the church.
+
+A 1990 study, for example, analyzed 844 children and youth from Adventist families in the Southern Union Conference of the North American Division.<sup>7</sup> Of those children and youth who had no Adventist education, 40.1 percent were never baptized. Of those with one or more years of Adventist education, 15.4 percent were never baptized; while in the group with 11 or more years of Adventist education, only 3.1 percent were never baptized (see Figure 1).
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 1](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure1.png)
+
+Another study conducted in 1985 of 807 children and youth from Adventist families in the Lake Union Conference of the North American Division found similar results.<sup>8</sup> Of those children and youth with no Adventist education, 38.3 percent never joined the church. In the group with some Adventist education, 4.6 percent never joined the church, while 100 percent of those in the sample who studied all 12 grades in Adventist education joined the church (see Figure 2).
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 2](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure2.png)
+
+### Remaining in the Church
+
+While joining the church is foundational, retention is equally important. Sadly, many of those who join the Adventist Church subsequently leave the denomination. During the past 50 years (1965–2015), for example, there have been 34,385,004 accessions in the Adventist Church worldwide. During the same period, 13,737,205 people left the church.<sup>9</sup> This represents a net loss of 39.95 percent. In effect, for every 10 people who joined the church, four have slipped away.
+
+The ratios are no better for young people. In the Youth Retention study that attempted to track more than 1,500 baptized 15and 16-yearolds in the North American Division for 10 years (1988-1998), results indicated that in most of the demographic groups, at least 40 to 50 percent had left the church by their mid-20s.<sup>10</sup> Tragically, we are not just losing one of 10 coins, as described in Jesus’ parable.<sup>11</sup> We are losing half of the coins! The question posed by the prophet Jeremiah becomes increasingly poignant: “Where is the flock entrusted to you, your beautiful flock?”<sup>12</sup>
+
+We turn now to the matter of the retention of children and youth in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Over the past three decades there have been at least seven studies that have examined the role of Adventist education in retention, with three of these studies conducted in the past seven years. Some of these studies have focused on specific regional populations, while others are more global in nature. Some present a snapshot in time, while others have taken a longitudinal approach. While each study has inherent limitations (as is the case with all studies), together they present a picture that is consistent over time and compelling.
+
+One of the largest studies was the set of Valuegenesis surveys, conducted over a 20-year period, from 1990 to 2010.<sup>13</sup> Valuegenesis1 data from 2,267 twelfth-grade Adventist students in Adventist schools in the North American Division, for example, showed that the more years of Adventist schooling, the greater the person’s reported loyalty to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, his or her belief in the fundamental teachings of the church, and his or her intention to remain an Adventist at age 40. In the 2010 Valuegenesis3 survey, 81 percent of all students indicated that attending an Adventist school was the most important factor that had helped them develop their religious faith, with the Adventist school ranking more highly than any other factor (see Figure 3). Across all three Valuegenesis studies (1990–2010), a full 75 percent of Adventist students in Adventist schools believed that the chances of their remaining in the Adventist Church at age 40 were good to excellent.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 3](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure3.png)
+
+We have noted the Youth Retention study, which endeavored to follow high school students for 10 years, utilizing a sample about evenly divided between students in Adventist schools and in non-Adventist schools in the U.S. and Canada. One of the key findings of this research was that the number of years in an Adventist school was positively related to commitment to Jesus Christ and to commitment to personal Bible study, as well as to the statements “My relationship with Christ is stronger now” and “Religion is important in my life.”<sup>14</sup> Furthermore, intention to marry an Adventist in students who attended an Adventist school was nearly twice the proportion of those who had not attended an Adventist school (83 percent versus 46 percent, respectively). At the 10-year mark the probability of leaving the Adventist Church was 3.9 times greater for those who had attended non-Adventist schools, compared with those who had attended Seventh-day Adventist schools (see Figure 4).
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 4](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure4.png)
+
+Several doctoral dissertations have studied retention in the context of Adventist education. In Kenneth James Epperson’s study, children of Adventist families in the Southern Union Conference who had no Adventist education were 4.5 times more likely to have infrequent or no church attendance, compared to those who had 11 or more years of Adventist education (see Figure 5).<sup>15</sup> This is a significant finding, given that a lack of active involvement in the church is often a precursor to leaving the church.<sup>16</sup>
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 5](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure5.png)
+
+In 1990 Robert Rice carried out a longitudinal study in which he compared baptized Adventist youth in southern California who graduated from public high schools and those who graduated from Adventist academies.<sup>17</sup> Thirteen years after graduation, 37 percent of those who had graduated from public high schools remained in the church, compared with 77 percent of those who had graduated from Adventist academies (see Figure 6). Rice also found that those who had graduated from Adventist academies were twice as likely to pay tithe (50 percent versus 26 percent), twice as likely to attend an Adventist church service regularly (59 percent versus 32 percent), twice as inclined to educate their own children in an Adventist school (59 percent versus 29 percent), and nearly three times more likely to have married an Adventist spouse (78 percent versus 27 percent), compared to those who graduated from a public high school.<sup>18</sup>
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 6](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure6.png)
+
+Warren Minder’s study, conducted in the Lake Union Conference, also considered retention, identifying those who joined and remained, and those who joined but subsequently left the church.<sup>19</sup> In sum, only 50.8 percent of those youth from Adventist families who had not experienced Adventist education joined and remained in the church, compared to 98.2 percent of those who had studied all 12 grades in Adventist schools (see Figure 7).
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 7](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure7.png)
+
+The Center for Creative Ministry recently conducted a global qualitative study in which 925 former or inactive church members were interviewed. Findings indicate that only 17 percent of lapsed and ex-members had received any form of Adventist education, compared to 56 percent of those who were current members.<sup>20</sup> This threefold difference provides evidence that those who have not experienced Adventist education are disproportionately more likely to become inactive or leave (see Figure 8). The study concluded that one of the greatest retention issues for the Adventist Church relates to young adults rising into the middle class. These were individuals who joined the church when they were younger and had less education. As their education, predominantly in non-Adventist institutions, progressed, however, they quit attending regularly and eventually left the Adventist Church.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 8](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure8.png)
+
+Global studies conducted by the General Conference Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research (ASTR) in 2013 and 2014 have also revealed key differences between ex-members and current members in terms of the proportion who have attended Adventist schools.<sup>21</sup> Current members were twice as likely to have Seventh-day Adventist tertiary education compared to ex-members who had studied at the tertiary level. Current members who had secondary education as their highest education were 2.5 times as likely to have studied in an Adventist school, compared to ex-members who had secondary education as their highest level of studies. Finally, current members who had elementary education as their highest education were three times as likely to have studied in an Adventist elementary school, compared to ex-members who had elementary education as their highest level of studies (see Figure 9). This may suggest that early Adventist education is an especially powerful factor in retention.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 9](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure9.png)
+
+### Conclusion
+
+Although many factors undoubtedly relate to accession and retention, and further research, particularly in specific populations around the world, would be beneficial, the research that we have presents a persuasive conclusion: Adventist education is a consistent and important predictor of children and youth joining and remaining in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As Ellen White observed: “In the highest sense the work of education and the work of redemption are one.”<sup>22</sup>
+
+In essence, Adventist education is mission. Through Adventist education, children and youth experience accession and retention, for the ultimate purpose of redemption (see Figure 10). Consequently, the Seventh-day Adventist Church must reaffirm and uplift the central role of Adventist education in the evangelistic mission of the church.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 10](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-21-joining-and-remaining—a-look-at-the-data-on-the-role-of-adventist-education/figure10.png)
+
+The prophet Isaiah wrote: “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”<sup>23</sup> The Hebrew word translated “peace” in this passage is _shâlôm_. While _shâlôm_ does include the concept of peace, it incorporates much more—safety, well-being, health, prosperity, and happiness. _Shâlôm_ is what we want for our children and youth. There is a condition, however. In order to experience _shâlôm_, our children and youth must be taught by God.
+
+Taught by God. Through Seventh-day Adventist education.
+
+_Adapted from a presentation at the 2017 Pan-African LEAD Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, February 15-19, 2017._
+
+_John Wesley Taylor V, Ed.D., Ph.D. serves as an associate director of education in the General Conference Department of Education in Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A. His grandfather, John Wesley Taylor III, joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church while attending an Adventist academy, and later, as a physician, served as a missionary in South America and InterAmerica. Since that time, three generations have been educated in Adventist schools, have remained in the Adventist Church, and together have provided more than a century of service to the church._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _Fundamentals of Christian Education_ (Nashville: Southern Pub. Assn., 1923), p. 436.
+
+<sup>2</sup> CognitiveGenesis was a longitudinal study conducted from 2006 to 2009 involving more than 800 Adventist schools in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, with approximately 52,000 participating students in grades 3-9 and grade 11. Standardized achievement test results indicated that students in Adventist schools in the U.S. outperformed the national average in all subjects; for all grade levels, school sizes, and ethnic groups; and regardless of ability level. Furthermore, the more years a student attended an Adventist school, the greater the improvement in performance. This “Adventist advantage” in education became the subject of a PBS documentary The Blueprint by award-winning producer Martin Doblmeier. Further information on the CognitiveGenesis study may be found in J. Thayer and E. Kido, “CognitiveGenesis (CG): Assessing Academic Achievement and Cognitive Ability in Adventist Schools,” Journal of Research on Christian Education 21, no. 2 (2012): 99-115. A summary is also available at http://adventisteducation.org/assessment/cognitive_genesis/overview.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Matthew 3:6, 11; 28:19; Mark 1:5; 16:16; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 13, 36-38; 13:24; 16:31-33; 18:8. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations in this article are taken from the New International Version.
+
+<sup>4</sup> “School Days Around the World,” https://norberthaupt.com/2012/04/20/school-daysaround-the-world/; “School Days Around the World” (June 2015) infographic; http://elearninginfographics.com/school-days-around-world-infographic/. Total number of hours in school can range from 15,200 in Finland to 37,400 in China, which holds the record for both highest number of hours per day and highest number of days per year, at 9 and 260, respectively.
+
+<sup>5</sup> General Conference Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, _2016 Annual Statistical Report: 152nd Report of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for 2015_: http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR2016.pdf.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Statistics provided by the Department of Education, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Kenneth James Epperson, “The Relationship of Seventh-day Adventist School Attendance to Seventh-day Adventist Church Membership in the Southern Union Conference” (Ed.D. dissertation, Loma Linda University, 1990). In this study 300 family units were randomly selected from the Southern Union Conference of the North American Division, and 210 families responded, representing a return rate of 70 percent. Of the individuals in the study, 40 percent had never attended an Adventist school. Children and youth from Adventist families who were baptized into the Adventist Church had attended an Adventist school for 8.06 years on average, while those children and youth who were never baptized into the Adventist Church had attended Adventist schools for an average of only 2.42 years, yielding a significant relationship (p<0.000) between the number of years in Adventist schools and baptism. The study also indicated that of those who were baptized, 2.6 percent were baptized prior to the age of 8, 63.7 percent were baptized between the ages of 8 and 15, while 14.2 percent were baptized between the ages of 16 and 23. The seventh grade was the most frequent grade level at which children were baptized, with 61.0 percent of those baptized having been baptized between grades 5 and 8.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Warren E. Minder, “A Study of the Relationship Between Church-sponsored K-12 Education and Church Membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church” (Ed.D. dissertation, Western Michigan University, 1985). In this study 400 family units were randomly selected from the Lake Union Conference in the North American Division. The study reported a return rate of 71.8 percent and a sampling error of approximately 3.25 percent. The study found a significant relationship (p<.001) between the number of years in grades 1 to 12 that a person attended an Adventist school and whether or not the person was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. There was also a significant relationship (p<.001) between the church membership of each parent and baptism of the child, as well as between parental active involvement in the church and baptism of the child (p=.0011 for the mother; p=.0191 for the father). Minder also cited results from an earlier study, “A Study of Seventh-day Adventist Church Members,” conducted in the Pacific Union Conference in 1962 (N=83,662; 68 percent return rate). That study reported that for young people who had attended all 12 grades at an Adventist school, 97 percent had joined the church, as opposed to 32 percent of the young people from Adventist families who did not attend any Adventist school during elementary and secondary schooling. Further, it was reported that in the group that had received some K-12 schooling in Adventist schools, 57 percent joined the church.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Figures provided by the Secretariat of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Roger L. Dudley, _Why Our Teenagers Leave the Church: Personal Stories From a 10-year Study_ (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 2000), p. 35. “At least 40 percent to 50 percent of Seventh-day Adventist teenagers in North America are essentially leaving the church by their middle 20s.”
+
+<sup>11</sup> Luke 15:8-10.
+
+<sup>12</sup> Jeremiah 13:20, CEB.
+
+<sup>13</sup> Roger L. Dudley and V. Bailey Gillespie, _Valuegenesis1: Faith in the Balance_ (Riverside, Calif.: La Sierra University Press, 1992); Roger L. Dudley and Janet Leigh Kangas, “Valuegenesis1: How Does Adventist Education Affect Youth Attitudes?” _Journal of Adventist Education 52_, no. 4 (April-May 1990): 24-29, 45, 46; Jerome Thayer, “The Impact of Adventist Schools on Students” (paper presented at the fourth Symposium on the Bible and Adventist Scholarship, Riviera Maya, Estado Quintana Roo, Mexico, March 16-22,2008),http://fae.adventist.org/essays/iv_Thayer_Jerry.pdf.TheValuegenesis1survey (1990) received responses from 10,641 Adventist students in Adventist schools and 457 Adventist students in non-Adventist schools in North America. Thayer subsequently analyzed a subsample consisting of 2,267 twelfth grade Adventist students in Adventist schools. The report of a replication of the Valuegenesis1 survey in the South Pacific Division in 1993 is available at http://circle.adventist.org/files/download/VGCORERE.pdf. A further replication of the Valuegenesis1 survey was conducted in Puerto Rico in 1995, with reports available at http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.... and http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1468&context=dissertations. See V. Bailey Gillespie, Michael J. Donahue, Ed Boyatt, and Barry Gane, _Ten Years Later: A Study of Two Generations_ (Riverside, Calif.: La Sierra University Press, 2003); and V. Bailey Gillespie, “Valuegenesis2: Adventist Schools Do Make a Difference,” _Journal of Adventist Education 65_, no. 1 (October/November 2002): 12-16. More than 16,000 Adventist students in grades 6 through 12 completed the second Valuegenesis questionnaire. The Valuegenesis3 survey (2010) received responses from more than 18,000 students in grades 6 through 12 in Adventist schools throughout North America (Bailey Gillespie, “Valuegenesis3 Update: Research Information Summary,” _Issues 1-5_ [published by the John Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry, Riverside, California]).
+
+<sup>14</sup> Roger L. Dudley, “Understanding the Spiritual Development and the Faith Experience of College and University Students on Christian Campuses,” _Journal of Research on Christian Education 8, no. 1_ (Spring 1999): 5-28; Roger L. Dudley, “Youth Religious Commitment Over Time: A Longitudinal Study of Retention,” Review of Religious Research 41, no. 1 (1999): 110-121; Roger L. Dudley, “Christian Education and Youth Retention in the SDA Church,” _Journal of Adventist Education 62_, no. 3 (February/March 2000): 8-13; Roger L. Dudley, _Why Our Teenagers Leave the Church_; Jerome Thayer, “The Impact of Adventist Schools on Students” (unpublished paper, 2008). This paper included a reanalysis of the Youth Retention study data. The Youth Retention study (Roger Dudley) began in 1988 with 1,523 baptized Adventist youth ages 15 and 16 in the United States and Canada. These individuals were surveyed each year in order to determine what factors were related to staying or leaving the church. When the study ended 10 years later, 783 (51.4 percent) of the original group, now young adults, completed the survey. Dudley speculated that many of the young people who dropped out of the study were no longer church members.
+
+<sup>15</sup> Epperson. Further analysis yielded a positive relationship (p<0.021) between Adventist school attendance and regular attendance at a Seventh-day Adventist church. Epperson also reported that children who had both parents as members of the Adventist Church averaged an attendance of 8.4 years in Adventist schools, compared to 1.19 years when only one parent was a member of the Adventist Church, representing a significant difference (p<0.000). For 53.6 percent of those who no longer regularly attended an Adventist church, neither parent was a member of the church.
+
+<sup>16</sup> Paul Richardson, “Survey of Former and Inactive Adventist Church Members,” Office of Archives and Statistics (ASTR), publication produced by the _Center for Creative Ministry_, Milton-Freewater, Oregon, 2013: https://www.adventistarchives.org/2013-retention-study.pdf.
+
+<sup>17</sup> Robert W. Rice, “A Survey of the Relationship Between Attending Seventh-day Adventist Academies 9-12 and Subsequent Commitment to the Seventh-day Adventist Church” (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Denver, 1990). There were 264 participants in the North American Division study, representing a 70 percent return rate (65 percent for the public high school graduates and 75 percent for the Adventist academy graduates). In the study, 93 percent of those who graduated from an Adventist academy had spent the ninth grade in an Adventist school, whereas only 71 percent of those from Adventist families who graduated from a public school had spent the ninth grade in a public school. These statistics may indicate a tendency for certain Adventist families, whose children may begin high school in an Adventist academy, to shift enrollment to a public high school at some point during secondary education.
+
+<sup>18</sup> Data from the Youth Retention study yielded complementary findings in regard to tithe paying.
+
+<sup>19</sup> Minder. The sample (N=807), 215 individuals (26.6 percent) were not Seventh-day Adventists. This group was comprised of 138 individuals (64.2 percent) from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin who had never joined the church and 77 individuals (35.8 percent) who left the church after joining. The study found a strong positive relationship (p<.001) between Adventist schooling and church retention, wherein increased years of Adventist schooling were associated with an increased probability of the person remaining in the church.
+
+<sup>20</sup> Richardson. Of the 17 percent of lapsed and ex-Adventists who had attended Adventist schools, 6 percent had attended an Adventist primary or elementary school at some point in their life, 7 percent had attended an Adventist secondary school, and 8 percent had attended an Adventist college or university. Participants were from Africa, South America, Europe, and North America.
+
+<sup>21</sup> Data for the school attendance of ex-members are based on the ASTR report “Leaving the Church: Why Some Seventh-day Adventist Members Leave the Church, and Why Some Come Back” (2014), a study that was conducted in all divisions of the church. Data for members are from the ASTR report “Global Church Member Survey” (2013), conducted in nine out of the 13 world divisions. The category “Other Education” for ex-members includes attendance at both Adventist and non-Adventist educational institutions, albeit these percentages were low: 7 percent primary, 7 percent secondary, and 5 percent tertiary (based on data presented by D.J.B. Trim at the LEAD Conference “Educating for Eternity” on October 6, 2016, in Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.).
+
+<sup>22</sup> Ellen G. White, _Education_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1903), p. 30. This redemptive purpose perhaps led Ellen White to urge, “There should be schools established wherever there is a church or company of believers” (“Special Testimony to the Battle Creek Church” [1897], p. 40).
+
+<sup>23</sup> Isaiah 54:13, NKJV.
+
+_Published in The Journal of Adventist Education, 2017, Issue 3 (April-June). Available at https://jae.adventist.org/en/2017.3.8_
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+---
+title: "Living Up to Adventist Standards: The Role Religiosity Plays in Wellness Behaviors of Adventist College Students"
+---
+
+_Alina M. Baltazar, Ph.D., M.S.W., L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., C.F.L.E., is an Associate professor and M.S.W. program director in the School of Social Work and co-associate director of the Institute for the Prevention of Addictions at Andrews University._
+
+_Amanuel Dessie, B.S.W., M.S.W., is a student and graduate assistant in the School of Social Work at Andrews University._
+
+_Duane C. McBride, M.A., Ph.D., is a professor of sociology in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and executive director of the Institute for the Prevention of Addictions at Andrews University._
+
+### Introduction
+
+Approximately a third of young adults (ages 18 to24 years) in the United States attend college.<sup>1</sup> College students make a variety of health decisions usually made without parental supervision.<sup>2</sup> Counseling centers on college campuses in the United States have reported increasing rates of depression and anxiety disorders.<sup>3</sup> A high percentage of college students experience depression (41 percent), and 63 percent reported overwhelming anxiety in national surveys.<sup>4</sup>
+
+There is considerable concern today about how college students manage their own health. Obesity is at an all-time high, and the demands of a college schedule often significantly interfere with sleep, diet, and physical activity.<sup>5</sup> College students are generally healthy, so it can be difficult to be motivated to participate in these behaviors. Research has found negative health behaviors among college students are associated with having a mental illness.<sup>6</sup> Monitoring the Future conducts annual surveys among college students to monitor trends of alcohol and drug use.<sup>7</sup> They report that marijuana use is at its highest level in 35 years among college students with 43 percent reporting using during the past year. Alcohol consumption, especially getting drunk, has been going down for the same period of time.
+
+A wide variety of research has also shown the protective effect of religion on substance use and other health behaviors.<sup>8</sup> Religiousness is multidimensional in nature and may play an important role in moderating the effects of major life events.<sup>9</sup> Research suggests that extrinsic religiousness relates to depressive symptoms, and intrinsic religiousness relates to lower levels of depression. As students enter their college years, there can be a transition period in how they relate to religiosity, as they may move from the beliefs of adolescents to their beliefs as emerging adults.<sup>10</sup>
+
+This paper presents results from a youth health risk survey conducted on a Seventh-day Adventist college campus in 2018 and examines the positive and negative influence of religiosity on wellness behaviors.
+
+### Method
+
+A youth health risk survey has been distributed at Andrews University about every five years since 1990, using a purposive sample of representative classes through the university. The goal is to examine health risk behaviors. Risk and protective factors are also identified. This paper presents results from the survey conducted in 2018 with an N of 650. Trained student workers entered into the chosen classrooms at the beginning of class and wrote a link on the board for students to enter their answers into their chosen device. The study was approved by institutional IRB.
+
+The 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) was used to examine mental health. The scale questions were rated on a four-point Likert scale of frequency or severity of the participants’ experiences during the past week.<sup>11</sup> The scale has been found to be reliable and valid in a wide variety of international populations.<sup>12</sup> The scale identifies typical symptoms of these conditions.
+
+Students answered questions about the frequency they engaged in a variety of health behaviors in a six-point scale from never to always. This study focused on four physical wellness behaviors known to affect mental health. Exercise was defined as moderate to vigorous cardiovascular exercise for 20 to 60 minutes a day. Water consumption was measured as eight cups of water per day and avoiding sugary drinks most of the time. Diet was defined as avoiding highly fatty, highly sugar, fried and processed foods majority of the time. For sleep, students were asked if they sleep, on average, seven to eight hours per night.
+
+There were multiple questions regarding alcohol and substance use. This study will focus on annual reported use for the top two substances used by participants; alcohol and marijuana. For the purposes of this study, the answers were put into a binary of no and yes.
+
+The religiosity internalization questions are from the Christian Religious Internalization Scale (CRIS).<sup>13</sup> This scale measures two types of internalization of religion. Introjection represents a partial internalization of religious beliefs and is characterized by selfand other-approval-based pressure. Identification represents adoption of religious beliefs as personal values. The question regarding commitment to Christ is just one question in which the participant identifies their level of commitment to Christ from none to fully developed on a four-point scale.
+
+Multiple focus groups were conducted to help understand the results from the youth health risk survey. The questions examined in the focus groups included physical health, mental health, and substance use of college students and the role that religiosity plays. Students were recruited to participate in the study as part of a course requirement for some School of Social and Behavioral Sciences general education courses. There were multiple studies the students could choose from. Students were each given $20 as an honorarium for their time and were fed a meal. There were five focus groups, with four to 10 participants in each one. Participants could leave at any time, but none did. Each group was audio-recorded. The principal investigator asked the open-ended questions, and the graduate assistant took notes of nonverbal communication. A total of 39 participants took part in the qualitative portion of the study. The focus group participants were restricted to be self-identifying as Seventh-day Adventist, single, living on campus, and aged 18 to 25 in order to get a more homogeneous group of college students.
+
+### Analysis
+
+Data from the survey was downloaded into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 24) for analysis. Only respondents who were Seventh-day Adventists (89 percent) were analyzed for this paper. The Seventh-day Adventist participants were very ethnically diverse, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the campus.
+
+All religiosity questions were examined with mental health, and alcohol and marijuana use as the dependent variables. The religiosity questions were categorized as measuring level of commitment to Christ and internal or externally motivated religiosity. Only the statistically significant results are reported.
+
+The focus groups were audio recorded to allow transcription. The principal investigator and graduate assistant then reviewed the transcripts independently and came up with a codebook. The initial analysis was accomplished by coding participants’ themes throughout the data. The team used the classic constant comparison approach. This was facilitated with the qualitative software, QDA Miner. As the analysis progressed, researchers examined specific instances of the codes to clarify similarities and differences between the researchers’ use of these codes. Then the top themes were identified.
+
+### Survey Results
+
+#### Wellness and Religiosity
+
+Adding the moderate to very severe levels of depression shows that about a quarter of the Seventh Adventist students were depressed, with just under 20 percent anxious. See Table 1.
+
+Physical wellness behavior results are reported as averages on a fivepoint scale. The measured physical wellness behaviors averaged somewhere between sometimes and often regarding frequency (exercise M=3.35, water M=3.89, diet M=3.59, sleep M=3.21). The only physical wellness activity that was statistically significant with mental health was sleep. Pearson correlations revealed the strength and direction of the relationship. There was a very small, negative correlation: when students reported getting less sleep, they were more likely to report anxiety (-.11, p≤.01) and depression (-.15, p≤.01). See Table 2.
+
+For those who were not committed to Christ, 16 percent were moderately to very severely depressed; not sure if they were committed to Christ, 47 percent were depressed; committed life to Christ at a specific time but were no longer committed, 33 percent were depressed; commitment to Christ developed, 19 percent were depressed. These data suggest that uncertainty and the loss of commitment to Christ was more strongly related to depression than certainty of commitment or lack of commitment. See Table 3.
+
+Pearson correlations revealed the strength and direction of the relationship between religiosity and mental health. Three variables that represented external (imposed by others) religiosity were positively related to higher stress, anxiety, and depression levels. Sharing faith for approval of others had a very small but statistically significant relationship, with increasing anxiety (.13, p≤.01) and depression (.16, p≤.01). Praying to avoid God’s disapproval had a small statistically significant
+
+relationship with increasing anxiety (.20, p≤.01) and depression (.16, p≤.01). Attending church to avoid disapproval of others had a very small statistically significant relationship with increasing anxiety (.13, p≤.01) and depression (.10, p≤.05). The mental health variables were not statistically significant with any of the other religiosity variables, so focus groups were used to better explain the results. See Table 4.
+
+#### Substance Use and Religiosity
+
+Annual usage levels of alcohol in 2005 was 32 percent; marijuana, 8 percent. In 2012 alcohol use was 30 percent; marijuana, 16 percent. In 2018 alcohol use was 27 percent; marijuana, 19 percent. Annual use of alcohol has gone down slightly; marijuana use has more than doubled. These trends reflect general society trends of use among college students.7 See Table 5.
+
+Those who reported that they share their faith because God’s important to them were less likely to consume alcohol in the past year (-.21, p≤.01), though while inversely related to marijuana use, it was not statistically significant. Those who reported they share their faith because they would feel bad if they did not were also less likely to consume alcohol (-.22, p≤.01) and marijuana (-.13, p≤.01). Frequency of church attendance decreased the likelihood of consuming alcohol (-.30, p≤.01) and marijuana (-.23, p≤.01), Bible reading and its relationship to alcohol (-.28, p≤.01) and marijuana (-.21, p≤.01), Sabbath School attendance and its relationship to alcohol (-.32, p≤.01) and marijuana (-.18, p≤.01), and attending religious programs and its relationship to alcohol (-.33, p≤.01) and marijuana (-.23, p≤.01). Believing God wants me to take care of my body (body is the temple) decreased likelihood of consuming alcohol (-.28, p≤.01) and marijuana (-.12, p≤.01), agreeing that the SDA church is the true church and its relationship to alcohol (-.31, p≤.01) and marijuana (-.19, p≤.01), and having a plan to remain an SDA and its relationship to alcohol (-.31, p≤.01) and marijuana (-.22, p≤.01). See Table 6. Overall, the results are consistent with previous research and show that consistent significant protective effect of religious practice, personal devotions, and religious commitment in regard to substance use.
+
+### Focus Group Results
+
+#### Perception of Substance Use
+
+There were multiple themes identified in relation to substance use. The participants reported alcohol use is happening more than one would think, especially in the dorm. Because the SDA Church sets the standard of alcohol and drug abstinence and students know it is wrong, it happens undercover.
+
+Students admit there is a cultural norm that while in college they are expected to experiment with alcohol in order to: cope with stress, escape from emotional distress, or to have fun in order to relieve boredom. It often depends on an individual’s peer group. They didn’t report peer pressure, but admitted that if their friends were doing it, they were more likely to do it so they wouldn’t feel left out.
+
+“I think one thing is although we are Adventists, we are also like 18 or 20 something, and generally people associate college with fun and a lot of the idea of college is like drinking and getting drunk, all these recreational activities, and some people maybe they wanna experiment, some people they are not necessarily set in their faith, so this isn’t something they can’t do.” FG3 participant quote summarizing perception of substance use.
+
+#### Perception of Physical Health
+
+Physical health can be a challenge for many stressed-out and overwhelmed college students. They associate physical health with going to the gym and know that is it important, but they are young and feel invincible. They know it is a good thing, but find it is challenging with everything else they have to do in college. Their peers can have a positive and a negative influence on whether or not they are physically active.
+
+“I think the majority of us kinda almost like think it’s impossible, cause we are like drowned with work or school stuff, and we have to do this and that. We also wanna be socially active. So it’s kind of like at least the working-out part or like taking care of ourselves properly kinda gets pushed to the bottom.” FG2 participant summarizing the perception of physical health by the participants.
+
+#### Perception of Mental Health
+
+There were three major themes that were identified by the participants in relation to mental health. The most commonly identified theme was the knowledge that resources to address mental health challenges are available on campus. Another point raised was the promotion of the counseling and testing center on campus grounds. This was identified as beneficial for students by helping to create awareness of mental health. The third major theme that participants reported was the issue of stigma on campus. Even though resources are available on campus, participants reported that the stigma decreases the chances of them getting help.
+
+“It’s something that I guess students kinda take for granted—they just expect you to go to class and be OK with everything that happens, and there is a lot of drama that happens in college, a lot more than what I would have liked to happen in college, but you have to be able, to nonetheless, and from personal experience I should have gone and talked to a counselor, not just for my own mental health but because of the student persona of, oh, you don’t need to do that, you’ll be OK, you’ll work through it. I didn’t, and I should have.” FG1 participant quote summarizing participants’ understanding of mental health.
+
+#### Role of Religion
+
+One of the major themes identified from the focus group discussions under the role of religion on wellness behaviors was that religion sets standards and helps to resist the temptation and to cope with stress. The participants further reported that if a student has internalized religion, it helps in setting a standard, which can help them make smart decisions living a healthy life.
+
+The focus group participants identified the religion can cause guilt and/or lead to rebellion if a person has not internalized this value. Participants stated that if religion is not well understood and internalized by college students, it can often lead to a feeling of guilt and shame.
+
+In addition to this, participants stated that the feeling of religion being pushed down on them can often have an oppressive feeling on college students. Thus, these types of feelings can further lead a student to rebel against or find coping in other activities that go against the standards set by religion.
+
+“I think the church tends to shame people into doing things a lot of the time. It is not do this because it is good for you. It is more do this because if you don’t you aren’t doing good. . . . Instead of shaming someone into doing it, just encourage them to live a godly life.” FG4 participant.
+
+### Discussion
+
+In the United States, alcohol use is decreasing and marijuana use is increasing among college students.7 Participants in this study show the same trends in alcohol and marijuana use, with annual use of alcohol decreasing and marijuana use more than doubling over a 13-year period. Students at this SDA university have significantly lower rates of alcohol (74 percent of the average college students versus 27 percent of SDA college students) and marijuana use (43 percent of the average college students versus 19 percent of SDA college students), but the focus group participants report it still happens, though under cover, which makes it harder to keep students who do use safe from the dangers.
+
+Physical health is not a high priority for college students. In the survey, participants reported on average that they “sometimes” exercised regularly, drank enough water, ate a healthy diet, and got enough sleep. Youth development and stress interferes with improving the physical health of college students. Since they are young and much less likely to suffer from chronic health conditions, their health is a low priority. Especially with the multiple stressors they are dealing with from school and having to maintain a social life.
+
+Depression and anxiety rates are increasing among college students. A sizable amount of participants in this study report moderate to very severe levels of depression (24 percent) and 18 percent had anxiety (nearly one out of five), though these are almost half of national rates for college students.<sup>14</sup> There is stigma against getting help for mental health challenges.
+
+Though religiosity is typically seen to have a positive influence on mental health, there have been studies that have found some negative influence.<sup>15</sup> This study supports both types of findings. External pressure is related to higher depression rates in this study. Religiosity does set standards as found in the focus group, but if those standards are not internalized, it can lead to an individual struggling to meet those standards, and when that does not happen, it could affect mental health. The higher the individual’s commitment was to Christ, the lower the depression rates, except for those who have no commitment at all. That group had the lowest depression rates (16 percent). According to research, nonbelievers typically have higher rates of suicide and depression, but a recent research study found that those who are nonbelievers for intellectual reasons, as opposed to emotional reasons, had lower rates of depression.<sup>16</sup> In this study those who had doubts about their commitment to Christ had the highest levels of depression (47 percent). It is hard to know if the depression caused an individual to doubt their commitment to Christ or the doubts led to a lack of certainty about their world that could worsen depression. Among those who reported their commitment to Christ was developed, only 19 percent were depressed. Being committed to Christ could give a sense of purpose and certainty about their world, though still one out of five of them suffered from depression.
+
+### Conclusions and Recommendations
+
+Religious faith and belief can be helpful to wellness, but if it feels forced or the individual has doubts, this study found that there were higher rates of depression and anxiety, and that could lead to rebellion. The focus groups helped to shed light on the importance of internalizing religiosity. Though a lot of religiosity at a Seventh-day Adventist university is external with its expectations, those standards do help a person live a healthier lifestyle, according to the focus groups. That external pressure becomes a problem when the individual hasn’t completely internalized the beliefs that led to those standards and expectations.
+
+Seventh-day Adventist health standards are clear, but college students have a hard time implementing them. Expectations are high from all sides: parents, peers, religion, and society. There is a normalization for even SDA college students to relieve that pressure and have fun through alcohol use, though at much lower rates than other colleges. They don’t see the need to spend the time and effort to take care of themselves physically. In working with this population to address these issues, it is important to keep these developmental and cultural issues in mind. Church leaders need to listen and hear what they are trying to tell us about the pressure they are under. We need to help them find a healthier balance with all of their responsibilities and look for better ways to cope with stress besides alcohol use, gaming, or Netflix.
+
+Spiritual growth is a process that needs support and guidance. Young adults are trying to figure this out. Their generation is coming of age in a world with ever-increasing rates of those who do not have any religious affiliation (23 percent).<sup>17</sup> They are trying to figure out where they fit in. Standards are important, but they need to understand where these standards come from and how they fit into today’s society.
+
+As a church we need to be more supportive and understanding of those who struggle with depression and anxiety, and encourage them to get help from trained mental health professionals. The focus group participants felt Andrews University’s counseling center did a good job of that by talking about mental health issues openly. All church educational institutions and churches should do the same, because the stigma is still an issue that can be addressed by talking about it more openly in order to normalize the struggle, even for Christians.
+
+_Alina M. Baltazar (Ph.D., M.S.W., L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., and C.F.L.E.) is the Master of Social Work program director and associate professor in the Social Work Department, and the director of prevention education at the Institute for the Prevention of Addiction, at Andrews University. In addition she provides psychotherapy services in the community part-time at Life Coach Psychology in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She received her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in the area of human development and families studies, her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan with a focus on aging, and her B.A. in psychology from Andrews University. She is also a certified family life educator. Baltazar currently teaches clinical social work classes and a personal relationships course at Andrews University. In the past she has taught in the areas of behavioral sciences and family studies. She has published and presented research in the areas of parental and religiosity’s influence on youth health risk behavior, parenting, pastoral family stress, domestic violence, and mental health. She has worked as a licensed clinical social worker for more than 23 years in the areas of medical and psychiatric social work, and psychotherapy. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for more than 25 years, and is the proud parent to three young men ages 21, 18, and 15._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> N. A. VanKim and T.F. Nelson, “Vigorous Physical Activity, Mental Health, Perceived Stress, and Socializing Among College Students,” _American Journal of Health Promotion 28_, no. 1 (2013): 7-15.
+
+<sup>2</sup> E. M. Glowacki, S. Kirtz, J. H. Wagner, J. D. Cance, D. Barrera, J. M. Bernhardt, “HealthyhornsTXT: A Text-Messaging Program to Promote College Student Health and Wellness,” _Health Promotion Practice 19_, no. 6 (2018): 844-855.
+
+<sup>3</sup> American College Health Association, “National Survey of Counseling Center Directors” (2014), International Association of Counseling Services, Inc., _Monograph Series No. 9V_, retrieved from http://0201.nccdn.net/1_2/000/000/088/0b2/NCCCS2014_v2.pdf.
+
+<sup>4</sup> M. E. Duffy, J. M. Twenge, and T. E. Joiner, “Trends in Mood and Anxiety Symptoms and Suicide-related Outcomes Among U.S. Undergraduates, 2007-2018: Evidence From Two National Surveys,” _Journal of Adolescent Health 65_, no. 10 (2019): 590-598.
+
+<sup>5</sup> J. Calestine, M. Bopp, C. M. Bopp, “College Student Work Habits Are Related to Physical Activity and Fitness,” _International Journal of Exercise Science 10_, no. 7 (2017): 1009-1017.
+
+<sup>6</sup> J. S. Young, C. S. Cashwell, and J. Shcherbakova, “The Moderating Relationship of Spirituality on Negative Life Events and Psychological Adjustment,” _Counseling and Values 45_, no. 1 (2011), doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.2000.tb00182.x.
+
+<sup>7</sup> J. E. Schulenberg, L. D. Johnston, P. M. O’Malley, J. G. Bachman, R. A. Miech, and M. E. Patrick, “Monitoring the Future: National Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975–2018: Volume II, College Students and Adults Ages 19–60” (Ann Arbor, Mich.: Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan, 2019), retrieved from http://monitoringthefuture.org/pubs.html#monographs.
+
+<sup>8</sup> M. Townsend, V. Kadder, H. Ayele, T. Mulligan, “Systematic Review of Clinical Trials Examining the Effects of Religion on Health (Review Article),” _Southern Medical Journal_, December 2002, pp. 1429+, Gale Academic Onefile, accessed 24 Nov. 2019.
+
+<sup>9</sup> G. W. Allport, “The Religious Context of Prejudice,” _Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 5_ (1966): 447-457.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Center for College Mental Health Annual Report, “Annual Report” (2015), https://ccmh.psu.edu/files/2017/10/2015_CCMH_Report_1-18-2015-yq3vik.pdf.
+
+<sup>11</sup> Barney G. Glaser and Anselm L. Strauss, _The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research_ (Aldine Publishing Company, 1967).
+
+<sup>12</sup> S. B. Oswalt, A. M. Lederer, K. Chestnut-Steich, C. Day, D. Ortiz, “Trends in College Students’ Mental Health Diagnoses and Utilization of Services 2009-2015,” _Journal of American College Health_ (2018), doi: 10.1080/07448481.2018.1515748.
+
+<sup>13</sup> R. M. Ryan, S. Rigby, and K. King, “Two Types of Religious Internalization and Their Relations to Religious Orientations and Mental Health,” _Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 65_, no. 1 (1993): 586-596.
+
+<sup>14</sup> Duffy, Twenge, and Joiner.
+
+<sup>15</sup> J. Levin, “Religion and Mental Health: Theory and Research,” International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies, doi: 10.1002/aps, 2010, retrieved from http://baylorisr.org/wp-content/uploads/levin_religion_mental_health.pdf.
+
+<sup>16</sup> J. O. Baker, S. Stroppe, and M. H. Walker, “Secularity, Religiosity, and Health: Physical and Mental Health Differences Between Atheists, Agnostics, and Nonaffiliated Theists Compared to Religiously Affiliated Individuals.” _Social Science Research 75_ (2018): 44-57.
+
+<sup>17</sup> Pew Research, “America’s Changing Landscape” (2016), https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/chapter-1-the-changing-religious-composition-of-the-u-s/#atheists-and-agnostics-make-up-a-growing-share-of-the-unaffiliated.
+
+### Tables
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Table 1](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-22-living-up-to-adventist-standards-the-role-religiosity-plays-in-wellness-behaviors-of-adventist-college-students/table1.png)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Table 2](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-22-living-up-to-adventist-standards-the-role-religiosity-plays-in-wellness-behaviors-of-adventist-college-students/table2.png)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Table 3](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-22-living-up-to-adventist-standards-the-role-religiosity-plays-in-wellness-behaviors-of-adventist-college-students/table3.png)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Table 4](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-22-living-up-to-adventist-standards-the-role-religiosity-plays-in-wellness-behaviors-of-adventist-college-students/table4.png)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Table 5](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-22-living-up-to-adventist-standards-the-role-religiosity-plays-in-wellness-behaviors-of-adventist-college-students/table5.png)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/22-living-up-to-adventist-standards-the-role-religiosity-plays-in-wellness-behaviors-of-adventist-college-students/info.yml b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/22-living-up-to-adventist-standards-the-role-religiosity-plays-in-wellness-behaviors-of-adventist-college-students/info.yml
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@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: "Living Up to Adventist Standards: The Role Religiosity Plays in Wellness Behaviors of Adventist College Students"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/01.md b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/01.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+---
+title: "The Need for Loving and Supporting Local Churches: Church Statistics and Research Findings"
+---
+
+_D. J. B. Trim, Ph.D._
+
+Some of the data presented here were included in presentations to the 2013 Nurture and Retention Summit; to the Annual Councils of 2014, 2015, and 2017; and to division nurture and retention meetings in the Northern Asia-Pacific and the Trans-European Divisions (2014 and 2017). There will thus be familiarity with some points made in this chapter, but some statistics are new or updated, while in addition it does not hurt to be reminded of things that one has heard before. This is especially the case when the data are so sobering.
+
+From 1965 through 2018, a 54-year period, the total number of church members has been 39,100,507. For the purposes of tracking losses we start in 1965, because up until 1964, our statistical reports recorded only the total membership and accessions. Starting in 1965, however, we have recorded the number who were disfellowshipped and gradually we started adding more clarity too. We started to break down accessions into baptisms, professions of faith, and, since 2018, re-baptisms of former members as a signal of the importance of reclamation; but we also gradually added reports of numbers of deaths, of missing (as well as those dropped from membership), and what are rather blandly called adjustments, which generally result when audits are done and the figures do not work out as they should. So, that means from 1965 through the end of 2018, we have 54 years of data. This is a very large and robust data set. The trends and the trajectories are clear. In those 54 years, a total of more than 39 million people have been Seventh-day Adventists. (Figure 1)
+
+These are not people who were raised Adventist but not baptized. They are not people who thought about joining the church. These are people who were full members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Of those, just under 24 million stayed. As of the end of 2018, the number who left is more than fifteen million: to be precise, 15,132,505 (Figure 2). And that is the best-case scenario, since in some parts of the world (including territories with very large book memberships), membership audits have not been completed, indeed are very far from complete. When they are completed, and the people who in their own mind left years ago are registered in our statistics, our losses will be still higher. So our own statistics are telling us that our net loss rate is, at minimum, 39%.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 1](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure1.png)
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 2](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure2.png)
+
+I am truly at a loss as to what to say about this. I’ve thought about it a lot. Indeed, I am now concerned that perhaps, by sharing this appalling statistic regularly—that 4 of every 10 church members leave, that 2 of every 5 leave—that maybe it has become too familiar. Maybe now church leaders take it for granted.
+
+I say that, because there are still parts of the world that prefer not to carry out membership audits, which is really burying ones head in the sand about the reality of what is happening. There are parts of the world that still hold massive evangelistic campaigns without having put in place networks of support for the new members won by evangelism. And so I don’t know what to say anymore. Back in 2013, when I recognized that we had this detailed data going back to 1965 and ran the numbers, I did not expect the losses to be this bad. But having checked my figures twice, I thought, “Well, this will surely be greeted with sackcloth and ashes. It will surely have an effect—it will result in changes.” Having presented these statistics regularly in my yearly report to Annual Council, I know that there is a wave of shock that goes around the room—but I conclude now that it does not leave the room. Awareness of the terrible statistics of loss has not produced a widespread change—or at least not yet. Hence my concern that, as a result of my reporting, church leaders take the appalling loss rates for granted—that familiarity has bred complacency.
+
+So, truly, I am at a loss as to what to say, what do, to arouse a sense of alarm and of urgent need for action. The only thing I can think of to say about this is that these are not numbers, they’re people. And they’re our family members. I would guess that 99% of church members have close family members who are not in the church. And we are not talking about the in-laws of in-laws, we are talking about brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, sometimes even parents. I don’t know else to say, because this fact should motivate us to do something.
+
+At any rate, those are the figures: the latest statistics we have, coming not from those who are negative about the church and want to share bad news; they are the results of the church’s official statistical reporting systems. We should not—I hope we cannot—close our eyes to what our own careful and time-honored systems are telling us.
+
+Furthermore, these statistics show us that global accessions and net losses have developed in step with each other (Figure 3). There are certain key dates: 1997 was when net losses in a year first exceeded 200,000; 1999 was the first year that net accessions were more than 1 million. It dropped back but then has been solidly above one million **_per annum_** since 2005. But 2005 was also the first time that net losses reached 800,000 in a year. In 2010 there was a major drop in losses, probably because it was a GC Session year. There were more than 950,000 members deducted in 2014, the peak year for losses. There was a major drop in losses in 2016, probably reflecting GC Session (this time a delayed effect), before losses rise again.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 3](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure3.png)
+
+What I just want to suggest is that the two track each other: not exactly to be sure. That is partly because, for a long time, losses and audits were not a priority, though in the mid 2000s they began to be. Once losses began to be recorded in significant numbers, one can see (Figure 3) that when there is a spike in accessions, a couple of years later, there is a spike in the losses.
+
+This becomes plainer when we look not at the last 54 years, but at the last 25 years. It is really in the last 25 years that the church has had explosive growth and also that it has given an increasing priority to audits. Figure 4 shows accessions and losses for the period 1994-2018 but calculated as five-year moving averages; this smooths out the peaks and troughs that are inevitable since annualized growth can be volatile for a number of reasons. Accessions and losses track each other more clearly once we use five-year moving averages, since losses come later than the accessions. The two diverge recently but that is because of the effect of reduced audits after the 2015 General Conference Session (with new officers coming in, who did not immediately prioritize audits); I have therefore also shown the actual losses, which in 2017 and 2018 have risen again.
+
+If the lines in Figures 3 and 4 showed less of a relationship we might conclude simply that losses come mostly from long-term church members, whose departures cannot be predicted. But the fact that losses track accessions indicates that there is a missing link in the cycle of discipleship, for though we do not know when those who are registered in reports as losses actually left, the statistical data suggests that we are bringing people in **_and then losing them_**. Looking at this, some people might say, “Well, since losses track growth, we should not put any focus on growth in evangelism.” That would be an incorrect conclusion to draw from these data. But what they are telling us is that if we organize major evangelistic campaigns, we also need to have major discipleship programs that go hand in hand, step in step with them. That’s what I think these data are telling us. We have to grow but we have to grow holistically. We have to close the circle of the discipling cycle.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 4](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure4.png)
+
+I am often asked, “What might our membership be if we retain better?” It is a very hard question to answer, but in the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, we have undertaken a very rough projection. It assumes that we **_retained 80% of members instead of 60%_**. But then it also takes as its assumption that think all those additional people who stayed would **_also_** bring in new members, at the same rate as our accessions per member rate; and those new members would stay and they would bring in new members, and so on ad infinitum. Having used these assumptions for growth and retention, we then used standard mortality rates to calculate an estimated number of deaths—these are not, in fact, going to be that great, simply because, again, most of the growth has come in the last 25 years and so most new members would not have died. The end result is a rough projection that world church membership now would be 42.5 million, which is double the current reported membership of 21.4 million. This gives us a sense of what would happen if we had a significant improvement in our retention rate: it would have a significant and positive impact on our church growth.
+
+Having considered statistics of members who left, the obvious question is: why did they leave? We have conducted two major global studies and the results have been very widely shared, I will just address a couple of points, to make the crucial point that the people who left, on the whole, didn’t do it because they had abandoned belief in the seventh-day Sabbath. They didn’t depart because they had abandoned belief in God. They didn’t leave because they’d become predestinarian Calvinists or believed that God tormented people in hell for eternity. They slipped away because they weren’t supported in times of trial or crisis; they left because they weren’t loved.
+
+In the studies of lapsed or ex-members, when asked “What was your view of Adventist Church at the time you left?” (Figure 5), the most frequent response, almost one in four, was “I thought highly of it but I couldn’t measure up.” The second highest, of just over one in five, was “I thought highly of it but I had lost touch.” For just over one in six, the church had simply become irrelevant, while one in seven felt the church was cold and inflexible. Only a fraction thought the church lacked integrity. Rather than a conscious rejection of an organization whose values they reject, members just slip away when they feel they can’t fit in, aren’t wanted, or aren’t valued.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 5](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure5.png)
+
+In the research, a question was asked about life events in the year leading up to the decision to stop attending church. This question is not “**_Why_** did you stop attending?”, though that question is also asked (see below), but people may not always know themselves and so we wanted to probe factors that may have influenced people as they moved from church attendance to non-attendance. As Figure 6 shows, a very large percentage experienced some very stressful life event in the 12 months before they stopped attending church.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 6](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure6.png)
+
+When those who took part in the research were asked why they decided to stop attending church, many different answers, were given, which is not surprising. However, the largest single answer, given by 28% of respondents, is that there was no big issue, “I just drifted away”.<sup>1</sup> Table 1 shows only the responses that were in double digits of percentages (there were a number of other reasons cited by respondents that were only minor, including, for example, worship styles, arguments about which are not as significant a cause of member loss as some have supposed). Also significant were perceptions of lack of compassion for the hurting, and acknowledgment of “moral failures on my part.”
+
+**TABLE 1.** Most Important Reasons for Deciding to Stop Attending Church
+| --- | --- |
+| 28% | No big issue; I just drifted away |
+| 25% | Lack of compassion for the hurting |
+| 19% | Moral failure on my part |
+| 18% | I did not fit in |
+| 14% | Too much focus on minor issues 13% Conflict in the congregation |
+| 12% | Moral failures of members |
+| 11% | Moral failures of leaders |
+| 11% | Pressure from family or friends |
+| 10% | Race, ethnic or tribal issues |
+
+What is perhaps most noteworthy is that almost all the different factors shown in Figure 6 (all but the last) can be understood as articulating, in different ways, essentially the same underlying cause. As a colleague observed in the GC research oversight committee, when we first reviewed this research, all the cited reasons reflect different manifestations of the same problem. Simply put, many local churches are not as loving and supportive as they ought to be when their members suffer stressful life events, or when, as they walk with Christ, they fall off the narrow path<sup>2</sup>—yet after all, “there is no one who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46).
+
+In the research, former members were also asked why they left. The previous question was about why they **_stopped attending church services_**. This question asks people who are no longer members why they came to **_depart the denomination_**. They were asked to name primary, secondary, and minor factors. Figure 7 shows the weighted results. Perceived hypocrisy in other church members ranks the highest; but because this reflects people not living up to the standards they avow, it is consistent with the view that church members leave because they do not receive the support they feel they need in time of crisis. So too, even more so, is the factor ranked third, a lack of friends in the local church. But especially striking is the word that occurs in these results, again and again: conflict. Five of the top ten weighted factors, and seven of the top thirteen, are different forms of conflict. This underscores the recommendation of the 2013 Nurture and Retention Summit that training in conflict resolution and reconciliation be provided widely and at all levels of church structure. Unfortunately that has been implemented very sporadically.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 7](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure7.png)
+
+The picture that emerges from former Adventists is clear. Church members go through stressful life events, they experience conflict. As a result, they stop attending church—often intending that to be a temporary measure until personal or family illness passes, or conflict diminishes. But what happens when they stopped attending? The distressing results are tabulated below.
+
+**TABLE 2.** “What happened when you stopped attending church?”
+| --- | --- |
+| 40% | No one contacted me |
+| 19% | A church member came to visit me |
+| 17% | A local elder came to visit me |
+| 15% | A local church member contacted me by phone |
+| 10% | An Adventist relative made contact |
+| 9% | The pastor came to visit me |
+| 6% | The pastor contacted me by phone or Email |
+| 3% | An Adventist, not a local member contacted me |
+| 2% | I received a letter in the mail |
+
+For four of ten respondents (by a curious chance the same percentage who leave), no one contacted them. Only 6% contacted by the pastor. Now, this is data from around the world, not primarily from North America. My local church has its own pastor for discipleship and six pastors, as many large churches in the United States have. In contrast, in some parts of the world, there are six churches to a pastor, or more. Nevertheless, 6% seems very low—too low. Pastors do not have to do all the work, of course; indeed, they should be training elders and church members to help nurture other church members. As Table 2 also reveals, however, that is hardly happening either. Not quite one in five former Adventists was visited by another church member, or by an elder.
+
+This finding should not surprise us. For pastors to know to train elders and use small groups for discipleship they would need to have been trained themselves. They also need to know nurture and retention are a priority. Yet in our 2012–2013 global study of pastors, in which pastors all around the world were surveyed, 53% said they never received training in nurturing and retaining in their bachelor’s degree. Of those who’ve gone to a postgraduate course, again, 53% said there was no training in those areas in their graduate study. We can’t be surprised if members aren’t being trained because the pastors themselves don’t know what they should be doing—and when nurture, retention, and discipleship are not being dealt with in their training, they will conclude that it is not a priority. And we have other evidence too that, indeed, they do not see it as a priority.
+
+In last year’s worldwide church members survey (a survey of more than 60,000 church members worldwide, in every division),<sup>3</sup> the question was posed: “Is training on nurturing and discipling of church members offered through my local church?” Very pleasingly, 64% responded, “Yes, it is.” But that means that in 36% of churches, more than one third, training is not being offered. And really, we would want that figure who say “yes, it is” to be much higher, if the loss rate is to be lowered from 39%. Another question in last year’s church member survey as posed as a thesis statement: “In my local church, I feel loved and cared about” (Figure 8). In response, almost half answered that this was very true, with another 13% choosing between somewhat true and very true; but 29% say it is only somewhat true; only 9% answered no, but the fact that only 62% agreed with this strongly suggests 38% feel it is problematic. We praise God that 62% feel that their local church quite considerably loves and cares about them, but, again, we would like it to be much higher. If more people feel more loved and cared about, if there are fewer incidents of hurt, then fewer members would leave.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 8](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure8.png)
+
+Might they come back?
+
+Our study of lapsed members and former members suggests that most have not found new religious homes (Figure 9). Instead, 40% say they’re nominally Adventists but never attend church. Just under one in ten state they are active in another Christian church (with another 2.3% being inactive in another Christian denomination). Less than 1% have joined a religion other than Christianity. The remaining 23% report no definite religious affiliation, adrift on a sea of faith.
+
+Thus, most former Seventh-day Adventists have not invested in another faith community. And we can guess why that is so when we remember how unimportant doctrinal disagreement was as a factor precipitating departure.
+
+How aware are they of developments in Adventism? Nearly half of those who took part in our studies report very little or no knowledge of what is happening in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. But just over half claim to be knowledgeable and 18% say they have detailed knowledge. This means they are still interested. There is an adage that the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s apathy. These people still feel the pull of the faith community they once were part of. Indeed, more than three quarters of former Adventists report themselves as being open to reconnecting, if the approach were made in the right way.
+
+{"style":{"image":{"aspectRatio":1.778}}}
+![Figure 9](https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content-23-the-need-for-loving-and-supporting-local-churches-church-statistics-and-research-findings/figure9.png)
+
+Given the statistics with which we started and these research results, we can say with confidence that there are millions of people who have left the Adventist Church. These are people who largely share our doctrines and our presumptions. We need to reach out to them with the love of the heavenly Father—the Father of the prodigal son in Luke 15, who was welcomed back with warmth and love, and without question or quibbling.
+
+What has been shared so far are from significant, even huge, data sets. But to close, I will share, as I did during my presentation at the Nurture and Retention Summit, some of the reaction to the summit on social media. There were many tweets, including by somebody who must have taken to Twitter, especially for the purpose of commenting on the summit, because they had not tweeted before it began and at that point they had no followers. The tweets vigorously complained that, at the summit, we were simply indulging church leaders by all getting together in a comfortable location, and that all we were doing was talking.
+
+One such tweet:
+
+_More effort went into NR summit than in reclaiming members. Did you know one phone call, email, or postcard would have brought me back? If received when I stopped going. It has been years and I have not heard a word yet tons of effort for a platform to blow hot air._
+
+Another:
+
+_How many of the church resources go into the Nurture And Retention Summit when the simple answer is to make a personal connection? Is the summit teaching people how to use a phone? Over five years and no one from the church has tried to make a connection after we stopped going._
+
+And so on and so on. Yet what was clear was that whomever was tweeting was watching the live stream of the summit. They were a church member who had been hurt and for whom perhaps nobody cared, for certainly nobody had sought them, in sharp contrast to the good shepherd, who left the 99 sheep he had in order fo find the one that had strayed.
+
+In the summit we did not train people to pick up the phone; most of those attending were from divisions and we wanted to inspire them to start declaring nurture a top priority in their fields, and to inspire their union and conference or mission counterparts to do the same. It was essential to share with church leaders because if they don’t declare wholistic discipleship to be a top priority we will continue to hemorrhage members.
+
+But we certainly wanted church members who watched the livestream, and we want everyone who is reading this book, to pick up a phone. Every pastor needs to make discipleship a priority in their local church(es). If they lack the skills themselves they need to be trained. Then they need to train their elders and church members that, if other members aren’t at church, show concern: call them up. And if pastors can’t or won’t prioritize this, church members can take the initiative themselves. There is one final research finding that is striking: we know from other research that the 60% of members who were visited after they stopped attending church are more likely to express openness to reconnecting. The lapsed or former member who is visited might not come back to church the next Sabbath—but they are more likely to return at some point in the future.
+
+Many important strategies were shared at the 2019 Nurture and Retention Summit and are elaborated in this book. They were and are important and valuable. But the bottom line is that we have to care about our brothers and sisters in Christ and we have to let them know that we care.
+
+Moreover, the millions of lapsed and former Seventh-day Adventists worldwide, who already believe much of what we believe, who in many cases are all around us, are waiting for us to reach out. They are waiting for us to love them with the love of the shepherd and the father of Luke 15.
+
+_Dr. D. J. B. Trim is Director of the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, a position to which he was elected by Annual Council in 2010. Born in Bombay, India, to missionary parents, he grew up in his father’s homeland of Australia, before moving to his mother’s homeland of Great Britain. He is a graduate of Newbold College (BA cum laude) and later served on the faculty there for ten years (1997-2007), teaching BA courses in history, literature and religion, and MA courses in mission and hermeneutics. He then held the Walter C. Utt Chair of History at Pacific Union College; since 2014, he has been an adjunct professor of church history and mission at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, at Andrews University. His Ph.D. is from the University of London (2003). His publications include ten books along with many book chapters and articles, in both scholarly and church publications, while he presents “This Week in Adventist History” on the Hope Channel. Dr. Trim was the first Seventh-day Adventist to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and has held visiting fellowships at the University of Reading, in Britain, and the University of California at Berkeley, in the United States. He is married to Wendy, a native of California; they have an adult daughter, Genevieve, who lives in Berlin, in Germany._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Figure 6, “Most important reasons for deciding to stop attending Church”, is based on a qualitative study: the reasons given were not answers that those surveyed were asked to choose, but the researchers’ summaries of different answers, based on their analysis of the interviews.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Cf. Ellen G. White, _Acts of the Apostles_, p. 565.
+
+<sup>3</sup> See http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Resources/Global%20Church%20Membership%20Survey%20Meta-Analysis%20Report/GCMSMetaAnalysis%20Report_2019-08-19.pdf
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+---
+title: "Barnabas: Epitomizing Discipling and Nurturing"
+---
+
+_Anthony R. Kent_
+
+Barnabas is Luke’s Levite hero of Acts! While one Levite, in the good Samaritan parable, wouldn’t cross a road to help a victim of a violent robbery, Barnabas crisscrossed cities and countries discipling and nurturing individuals, communities, and churches. Barnabas’ courage, character, and commitment enabled him to be the ultimate human change agent of the book of Acts. The inspiring story of Barnabas is a not-so-subtle invitation to disciples of every era to emulate the amazing ministry of the “Son of Encouragement.”
+
+The book of Acts is the Hollywood of the New Testament. But it’s a wholesome Hollywood! After a few words of introduction, it’s a case of “Lights, camera, action!”
+
+It has stars. It’s action-packed from start to finish. Many of its scenes, although written 2,000 years ago, could easily be major Hollywood blockbusters of the twenty-first century.
+
+When Luke graphically describes the ascension of Jesus from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:6-12), the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the upper room (Acts 2), or the shipwreck of Paul and his companions in the Mediterranean (Acts 27:13–28:2), it’s as though there are film clips embedded into the text. But these events are more compelling than modern movie scenes! Paul’s epic shipwreck takes two weeks, and Paul the hero oversees the safety of all passengers and crew, and although he’s bitten by a viper he barely flinches, and it’s the snake, not the hero, who dies!
+
+The key words that we remember from Acts are from the scripts of action sequences:
+
+- “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11, NKJV).
+- “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6, NKJV).
+- “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NKJV).
+- “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60, KJV)
+
+Of all the stars that Luke introduces to us in Acts, there is none more significant than the star of discipling! And he has a nickname to prove it! And he’s better than any Hollywood star! He’s someone we can trust, emulate, and use as a positive role model. Best of all, he’s not the creation of some scriptwriter’s imagination—he’s real! His principles, morality, and motives are always good, wholesome, encouraging, and inspirational! He’s not just _acting_, verbalizing memorized words from a script—he’s living the Christian life, the authentic real life, of a disciple maker.
+
+We are introduced to this character for the first time in Acts 4. It’s helpful to read the wider context of his introduction—how Luke brings him onto his stage. For Luke, introductions are important.<sup>1</sup> Besides, Luke shares important information about nurturing and discipling people in this introduction to a great discipler:
+
+“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:32-37, ESV).
+
+It’s a beautiful picture! And in this inspiring picture of the apostles and believers—there is only person, one individual, whose identity surfaces to the top for specific mention. Most likely he represents best the characteristics of the group.
+
+This is the first glimpse we have of Joseph, who was given the nickname of Barnabas.
+
+Nicknames often tell the story of a person very succinctly. The most obvious feature of a person can be captured in a simple nickname—like Sons of Thunder! Positive nicknames are generally a good sign that the individual is well appreciated and regarded by their peers. (Among teenagers, it’s not unusual that the most popular receive nicknames.) And as readers of Acts will discover, there is every reason to regard and appreciate Barnabas highly, and he was aptly called Son of Encouragement. Barnabas is referred to 23 times in Acts, and he emerges as one of Luke’s heroes, one of the great heroes of the early followers of Jesus.<sup>2</sup>
+
+Why? Because he was a discipler and a nurturer!
+
+Barnabas was a Levite. Some tend to look down on Levites, but there is no reason to have a negative opinion of Barnabas. Who were the Levites?
+
+According to Darrell L. Bock, “Levites were often wealthy and very well educated, but not all were priests. . . . Levites served in the temple, keeping watch over the gates, policing the area, instructing, and copying the Torah.”<sup>3</sup> The roles and functions entrusted to Levites, protecting the assets of the Temple, teaching the Torah, and copying it—well before the days of printing presses—indicate that Levites were generally respected and trusted in the community.
+
+We are not told where Barnabas’ land was located. It could have been in Judea or on his home island of Cyprus. It appears that the injunction against Levites owning land was widely relaxed by the first century. Even in the time of Jeremiah, we have the example of Jeremiah being a priest and purchasing a property (Jeremiah 32:7-12).
+
+So Barnabas sold his land, without any fuss or fanfare, and laid **all** the proceeds at the feet of the apostles. This honest, generous, and unassuming approach of Barnabas stands in stark contrast to what follows immediately in Acts—the story of the deceitful Ananias and Sapphira. It is a little disappointing that many of us may know the story of the unfaithful **Ananias and Sapphira** better than the remarkably faithful Barnabas.
+
+But there is another important contrast in Luke’s account. Readers of Acts are soon to read of garments being placed at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58). These items of clothing are not intended for the poor or needy, like the proceeds of Barnabas’ assets. Instead, these are the robes of those stoning Stephen, the dedicated deacon and disciple. The disparity in the introduction of Saul (who later became known as Paul) and Barnabas is truly jolting! Luke appears to be highlighting the extreme background differences of these two people. Saul was doing all he could to control, thwart, and destroy the disciples of Jesus. Barnabas was completely the opposite, doing all he could to resource, grow, and develop Jesus’ disciples. These two earnest, zealous, Jewish, religious men, having completely opposite opinions about Jesus, are soon to meet each other. Careful readers of Acts anticipate this meeting and are intrigued by the clash. They wonder, Who will win out—Saul or Barnabas?
+
+So Barnabas gave all the money from the sale of the land to the leaders of Jesus’ followers—no strings attached! Barnabas had no expectations of controlling the expenditure of the money nor controlling the leadership. And it wasn’t a case of paying money to the clergy leaders so that Barnabas could have the excuse to do no ministry. These points are very apparent in Acts 11:22. It’s the church in Jerusalem that sends Barnabas to Antioch—the church body maintained control, and Barnabas was a willing servant, following the directives of the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ.
+
+What else is revealed about Barnabas?
+
+Acts 11:22-24 describes him as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (verse 24, NKJV), as well as being a very fruitful evangelist. Colossians 4:10 informs us that Barnabas was a cousin of John Mark—this is the Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark, the youthful disciple of Jesus. The _Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary_ introduces to us a tradition that identifies Barnabas as one of the 70 (or 72 in some translations) sent out by Jesus, as recorded in Luke 10:1.<sup>4</sup>
+
+In Acts 9 Luke records the much-anticipated first meeting of Saul and Barnabas. They meet in Jerusalem. Although they once had vastly different opinions about Jesus and His followers, Saul had encountered the resurrected and ascended Jesus on his journey of persecution to Damascus. Instead of implementing persecution in Damascus, Saul as a recipient of the gift of the Holy Spirit (verse 17) and newly baptized (verse 18) became a proclaimer of Jesus (verse 20). The persecutor suddenly became the persecuted. In the dead of night Luke describes Saul dramatically fleeing from Damascus (verse 25). Saul makes his way to Jerusalem and encounters the “Son of Encouragement.” This first meeting of Saul and Barnabas provides us with a great insight into Barnabas’ methods of operation as a disciple of Jesus and essentially as a disciple maker:
+
+“And when he [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus” (verses 26-30, ESV).
+
+All the disciples, except Barnabas, were afraid of Saul! Although Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem had all those beautiful attributes of dedication (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35)—**initially they shunned Saul**!
+
+Risking potential damage to his reputation, Barnabas was fearless! His treatment of Saul was exemplary! For good reason the text of Acts singles him out and highlights his virtues as a discipler and nurturer! Acts 9:27 describes how Barnabas took Saul and brought him to the apostles. This carries the idea that Barnabas “took him under his wing.”<sup>5</sup> Barnabas’ ministry to Saul, instead of ruining his reputation, enhanced his reputation as a “son of encouragement”! Not that his support of Saul was motivated by the desire to enhance his reputation.
+
+It appears that Barnabas was not afraid to risk or lose his life in his ministry of discipling potential followers of Jesus. Clearly this speaks to an assurance that Barnabas had—a profound awareness that his life and destiny were in the hands of his Savior, Jesus, and that nothing would fall upon him that was outside of heaven’s plan for him.
+
+If we reflect on Galatians 1:18, Saul visited Jerusalem on this occasion for 15 days, so it is reasonable to assume that Barnabas didn’t just support him for one initial meeting (which may have lasted for minutes or hours), but most likely the best part of two weeks! In this context, particularly in the Jerusalem of this era, two weeks could be a long time. For example, Jesus, in less than a week, was welcomed into the city triumphantly and yet within that same week was crucified by an angry mob. Jerusalem was a dangerous and volatile city, and Barnabas was prepared to associate closely with Saul, who could well have been regarded as a traitor by one group or a wolf in sheep’s clothing by the opposing group. Either way, Barnabas was willing to support a marginalized individual and risk being personally isolated.
+
+Barnabas also verified Saul’s story of transformation.<sup>6</sup> Sometimes it can be very difficult to tell our story—it can be difficult to “blow our own trumpet” or “ring our own bell,” because it can appear that we are bragging. But Barnabas helped Saul confirm his astonishing—no, let’s call it what it was: miraculous—Damascus road experience.
+
+It can be even more difficult to tell our story, particularly if it is an amazing miraculous story, to a sceptical audience. And the apostles were sceptical!
+
+So Barnabas showed Saul/Paul how to share his extraordinary testimony to this rather untrusting audience. And Paul was to learn from this mentoring, because years later, as recorded in Acts 22, Paul shares his testimony confidently before persecutors in Jerusalem; and as recorded in Acts 26, once again Paul boldly proclaims his conversion testimony before the unbelieving Agrippa.
+
+Clearly Barnabas was an important mentor and discipler for Saul. And Saul, at the time of this visit to Jerusalem in Acts 9, was viewed very suspiciously by most of the followers of Jesus. During this time in Jerusalem, Saul continued to be somewhat of a nuisance; he was problematic, and his life was in danger. This passage concludes with Saul, to avoid being murdered in Jerusalem, being sent back home to Tarsus. Saul being shipped back to Tarsus is reminiscent of the colloquial cliché, “Go back to wherever you came from!”
+
+In Tarsus, Saul remained in obscurity. We are not told what he did during that time— in Luke’s account he does nothing to distinguish himself; he remains inconspicuous, unseen, and unheard.
+
+The next occasion that we read of Barnabas is Acts 11:22. Barnabas is sent by the church in Jerusalem to the fledgling work being done in Antioch. Barnabas does his ministry well in Antioch and is warmly received and appreciated by the community.
+
+In Luke’s record of Barnabas’ ministry in Antioch, it is very easy to miss the importance of the next brief reference to Barnabas: “So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul” (Acts 11:25, ESV).
+
+We are not told how Barnabas traveled from Antioch to Tarsus. If he went by land, it was 148 miles (238 kilometers)! If he traveled approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) per day, which was the typical travel length of a day’s journey, it would have taken Barnabas eight traveling days! Walking 20 miles (or 30 kilometers) was not regarded as a suitable Sabbath activity on a day of rest, so the likely time length of the journey was longer than eight days. By any measure of the era, traveling from Antioch to Tarsus was a substantial journey!
+
+It is also probable that Barnabas traveled at his own expense. Paul was to later write in 1 Corinthians 9:3-7 that he and Barnabas did not receive wages when they were ministering—even their expenses don’t appear to be covered! Barnabas was a remarkable man, donating all the proceeds of the sale of his property and then ministering as a self-funded volunteer. So, not only did Barnabas undertake this considerable journey to look for Saul, it is likely he provided his own travel expenses.
+
+Luke adds these details: “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26, ESV).
+
+The words “and when he had found him” reminds us of Luke’s earlier wording in his record of Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep. In fact, the phrasing of the Greek in Acts 11:26 is identical to Luke 15:5.<sup>7</sup> The text may also imply that Barnabas needed to do some careful, thorough searching to find Saul. And then Barnabas brought Saul back to Antioch. Barnabas’ return trip was most likely more than 300 miles (nearly 500 kilometers)! Why did Barnabas make this extensive, arduous journey? For one reason: to reach out to Saul so he could disciple and nurture him!
+
+Barnabas returned to Antioch with Saul, and there he taught, trained, nurtured, discipled, and ministered with Saul for a year.
+
+It would also appear that Luke wants to ensure that his readers don’t miss the significance of this ministry at Antioch. He writes: “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). This ministry of Barnabas—teaching, training, nurturing, and discipling—appears to trigger that all-important, timeless, identifying badge: Christian! Clearly Barnabas’ Christlike ministry is an all-important association with the word “Christian.”
+
+God blessed both of these mighty workers, Barnabas and Saul/Paul, in their ministries. The Christians at Antioch received this very important instruction from the Holy Spirit: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2, ESV).
+
+Barnabas and Paul had very effective ministries. As well as being nurturers and disciplers, Barnabas and Paul were evangelists—sharing the gospel and the knowledge of salvation with those who were unfamiliar with Jesus. The only recorded speech we have of Barnabas is an evangelistic message he copreached with Paul at Lystra (Acts 14:15-17)— to a pagan audience. This is important because it illustrates that Barnabas was not just focused inwardly, toward those within the church. All people were of interest and significance to Barnabas; he was a “son of encouragement” to all.
+
+How important was the nurturing, discipling, and training offered by Barnabas? The following comments offered by Ellen G. White illustrate the importance of this type of ministry: “Experienced workers today do a noble work when, instead of trying to carry all the burdens themselves, they train younger workers and place burdens on their shoulders.”<sup>8</sup>
+
+And so Saul grew, under the blessing of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and under the training, nurturing, and discipling of Barnabas. Ellen White also writes of the Paul tutored, nurtured and discipled by Barnabas: “Paul’s heart burned with a love for sinners, and he put all his energies into the work of soul winning. There never lived a more self-denying, persevering worker.”<sup>9</sup>
+
+We know well the extraordinary ministry of Saul/Paul: apostle, missionary, evangelist, pastor, teacher, trainer, biblical author, humanitarian aid worker—the list goes on! Paul was certainly an amazing servant of God. It’s perfectly reasonable to wonder: What would have happened to Paul had not Barnabas made that long journey to Tarsus to find him, disciple him, and nurture him?
+
+Luke also describes Barnabas as a key person in the discipling, nurture, and reclamation of another very important New Testament character, John Mark (Acts 15:36-39). John Mark, better known as Mark, had deserted Paul and Barnabas during an earlier missionary journey (Acts 13:13). Mark could so easily have been lost to the Christian cause. Mark could have been seen as lacking moral fiber, perhaps a backslider. But Barnabas saw the potential of Mark, this youthful disciple of Jesus, and was eager to offer him some encouragement, further training, and another opportunity.
+
+Ellen G. White provides this valuable insight: “This desertion caused Paul to judge Mark unfavorably, and even severely, for a time. Barnabas, on the other hand, was inclined to excuse him because of his inexperience. He felt anxious that Mark should not abandon the ministry, for he saw in him qualifications that would fit him to be a useful worker for Christ. In after years his solicitude in Mark’s behalf was richly rewarded, for the young man gave himself unreservedly to the Lord and to the work of proclaiming the gospel message in difficult fields. Under the blessing of God, and the wise training of Barnabas, he developed into a valuable worker.”<sup>10</sup>
+
+Paul was afterward reconciled to Mark and received him as a fellow laborer. He also recommended him to the Colossians as one who was a fellow worker “unto the kingdom of God,” and “a comfort unto me” (Colossians 4:11).
+
+Again, not long before his own death, Paul spoke of Mark as “profitable” to him “for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). History tells us that Mark, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was to author one of the most significant pieces of Christian literature: “The Gospel According to Mark”— the “Mark” of the New Testament. This was a new genre of literature. It was an innovative way of telling the story of Jesus and also instructing and nurturing people into being disciples of Jesus. The majority of biblical scholars agree that Mark’s Gospel account was source material for the Gospels that were later written by Matthew and Luke.<sup>11</sup> Imagine if Barnabas had not taken Mark “under his wing” and Mark had not written his Gospel? Imagine a Bible without the Gospel of Mark, and without Mark’s Gospel, I wonder what the Gospels of Matthew and Luke would have been like.
+
+There is an obvious and natural question we need to ask: Where would the Christian faith be without the discipleship, nurture, and reclamation ministry of Barnabas?
+
+The Barnabas who nurtured, discipled, trained, and mentored Mark. The Barnabas who nurtured, trained, discipled, and mentored Saul/Paul to be an apostle, missionary, evangelist, pastor, teacher, trainer, biblical author, and humanitarian aid worker!
+
+When we consider the ministry of Barnabas, we can’t help pondering what the Christian Bible would look like if Barnabas had not been the “son of encouragement” to Paul and Mark, who ultimately were both very significant authors of the New Testament.
+
+Having reflected on the life, ministry, and priorities of Barnabas in the early church, we should consider our own personal ministries and the church of today. Some very appropriate questions to ask ourselves are:
+
+How much stronger and healthier would the church be today if we retained the evangelistic emphasis but also were more effective with our discipling, nurture, and retention?
+
+How can we emulate Barnabas’ ministry in the church today? What could happen in the church today with an effective ministry of discipleship, nurture, and reclamation?
+
+_Anthony Kent has specialized in discipleship-based evangelism in Western secular settings, as well as being an effective church planter in irreligious cities. He has ministered and pastored in varying contexts: inner-city, suburban, regional, and rural isolated churches. Prior to being elected to the General Conference Ministerial Association in 2005, Anthony was the ministerial secretary for the South Pacific Division. His ministry is always enhanced by his devoted wife, Debora, and their two young adult daughters, who continue to keep him very humble._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> For example: Luke’s introductions to his Gospel (Luke 1:1-4) and to the book of Acts (Acts 1:1, 2) are very important. Similarly important are Luke’s introductions of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25, 39-45, 57-80), Jesus (Luke 1:26-56; 2:1–4:15), and Saul/Paul (Acts7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-25).
+
+<sup>2</sup> Darrell L. Bock, _Acts_ (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007), p. 216.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ibid.
+
+<sup>4</sup> “Barnabas,” _Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1960, 1979), p. 121.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Bock, p. 369.
+
+<sup>6</sup> Craig S. Keener, _Acts: An Exegetical Commentary_ 3:1–14:28 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013), vol. 2, p. 1689.
+
+<sup>7</sup> Both Luke 15:5 and Acts 11:26 have καὶ εὑρὼν.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Acts of the Apostles_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 368.
+
+<sup>9</sup> Ibid., p. 367.
+
+<sup>10</sup> Ibid., p. 170.
+
+<sup>11</sup> Robert H. Stein, _Mark_ (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008), p. 16.
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+title: "Barnabas: Epitomizing Discipling and Nurturing"
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+---
+title: Connecting with the Disconnected
+---
+
+_Brian Litzenberger_
+
+Why are twenty-first century young people leaving the church? Another just-as-important question is why the unchurched are seemingly unreachable. The traditional church mind-set of expecting young people and unchurched alike to believe as we believe, act as we act, and to become like us is failing miserably. This presentation will discuss the best way to connect with the disconnected and show how important it is to no longer operate under the “this is how we have always done it” ideology.
+
+As I was preparing to present, my wife was challenging me saying, “You need to provide a solution.” To which I replied, “There is no blanket, ‘silver bullet’ solution that will quickly and easily resolve this particular challenge. The solution is connecting with Christ personally and intimately. In other words, the problem today is not programmatic—it is the absence of a personal and intimate relationship with God and others, in that specific order.”
+
+Somehow we have come to confuse knowledge about someone as a relationship. Interestingly enough, this seems to be accepted only in religious circles; when it comes to our relationships on earth, it is a completely different story. I have yet to find an individual that would be willing to let someone else date their beau for them, yet this is what we have come to do with God every week.
+
+The question of why and where our young people are going has become a main topic of discussion. Recently as I was working with a Sabbath School class, I sat down with them and asked them three questions:
+
+#### Question 1: How do you feel when you come to church?
+
+**Answer:** “We feel like people here have written us off.” Upon further explanation, it was discovered that one of the Sabbath School leaders had told the young women attending the Sabbath School that they should plan on being pregnant shortly after they graduate from high school. One of which was my daughter, who asked me, “Dad, is that really what they think of us in church?” To which I replied, “Not in this house!”
+
+Another replied that the church was hypocritical: “We are constantly being told what we need to do and how we are supposed to love and respect others, but we are not treated with love and respect.”
+
+#### Question 2: How do you feel about God and religion?
+
+**Answer:** “It doesn’t really make sense to me.” When I asked them if they shared their doubts and struggles, they quickly replied, “I don’t feel as though I can do that without being judged.” Let me stress that these answers are coming from young people.
+
+“I don’t know; I am always being told what I should believe about God, and how important it is to have a relationship with God, but I don’t see other people able to talk about how their relationship with God has helped them.”
+
+“I don’t know how to relate to the Bible.”
+
+#### Question 3: If you were in charge of your Sabbath School, what would you do differently?
+
+**Answer:** “Food!” Yes, we are definitely dealing with teens! The next answer may surprise you. “We want to be involved in more than just collecting offering. We want to be of service; we want to get into the community and do something. We want to make a difference.”
+
+These are the young people that are leaving the church. The bottom line: their needs aren’t being met. Teenagers have a desire to question. If they do not feel safe enough in church to ask those questions, or if they ask and we can’t answer those questions, where do they go? Google.
+
+The knee-jerk response has typically been to seek out the newest and latest program that will resolve the problem. For example, where I come from there is a new program the conference is promoting and conducting training. It’s called “A New Kind of Leader.” In truth, it is a great concept and program, but it is nothing more than new wine in an old wineskin. Right on the cover of the book it states, “What you believe can make a difference in somebody else.” With young people, it is not about what you believe—it is what they believe and whether or not they have ownership of what they believe. It seems that lay leaders somehow have this idea that we need to give them everything and just tell them what they need to know, molding them into what we believe is the best for them, disregarding whatever does not fit into our vision. Great program, but it is completely missing the mark. It is not a program that listens, understands, empathizes and comforts. It is not meeting the needs of these young people.
+
+Six reasons young people are leaving the church:
+
+1. isolationism
+2. shallowness
+3. anti-science
+4. sex
+5. exclusivity
+6. doubters
+
+Of these six, the most common ones that I have personally dealt with in my ministry work are:
+
+1. **Shallowness**: Many young people think church is boring, finding it irrelevant. Biblical concepts are unclear, and God is absent from their church experience.
+
+2. **Exclusivity**: Church is exclusive, it does not agree to disagree, and I am forced to choose between my faith and my friends. One person my wife and I have worked with stated, “I feel like church is a private club. If I do not believe exactly as they do in every way, I will never be accepted.”
+
+3. **Doubters**: Young people think church is not a safe place to express doubts. This was just discussed. Many young people both in and out of the church have serious doubts they want to discuss, but they have no one they feel they can trust to talk to.
+
+I would like to point out that these are answers that have come from both young people inside the church as well as the secular community. In fact, many in the secular community have come from a Christian or church background, whether it be Saturday or Sunday. They were raised in a home that attended a weekly service. However, when their stories are told, one finds out they were raised in a home in which their concept of God came from a father who was abusive, beating on them or their mother, maybe even sexually abusing them. Then, come Saturday or Sunday morning, the whole family gets dressed up, drives to church, and presents themselves as the perfect Christian family. While there they are told of a God who is loving, peaceful, compassionate, and kind. The emerging question should be obvious. “If God is loving and caring, why is He allowing this to happen to me?” The end result is an unspeakable animosity, distrust and even hatred toward Christianity and the church in general.
+
+There is another statistic produced by the Barna Group conducted in 2012. Six out of every 10 young people will leave the church permanently, starting at the age of 15. Now, you might say to yourself, “That is in those other churches; we as Adventists don’t have that problem. We have a thriving children’s ministry and teenage program; our teenage classes are packed every week.” In many cases their parents are forcing them to come, and the young people feel as though it is just not worth the argument. But, hey, they are in church, right? Great, they are here. The problem is that they have mentally checked out.
+
+The truth is that they are living my own story. I mentally checked out of church at the age of 15. I went through the motions of being a good Adventist child. I was able to fake it, and as a teen who was successful at faking my faith, I started to wonder how many others were doing the same thing. I guarantee you this is still the case. I have stood up in front of young people after sharing my story and asked, “How many of you feel differently?” Not one young person raised their hand. The fact that these phenomena are occurring makes it more dangerous than if they were to physically be gone. We are lulled into a sense of false security, thinking that everything is OK, and then we are blindsided when our young people disappear.
+
+John 4:35 states, “Look around you and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting” (NRSV). Jesus had to teach this concept to His disciples. Today we have come together because we recognize this fact both in the youth that is leaving our church and our inability to reach out and connect with the unchurched. So it’s not just our young people we can’t connect with— it’s the people outside the church and in the community we are having trouble reaching. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2, NRSV). This statement is just as true and applicable today as it was when Christ first came. The following three reasons show these statements to be applicable:
+
+**1. In society today, people need and seek out a satisfying worldview and spiritual fulfillment.**
+
+If you have a hard time understanding this one, go spend some time with people in a secular community. My secular ministry was with bikers, and let me tell you, they are searching . . . and so is everyone else. The social media idea and all the knowledge highway that we have that did not exist when I was growing up has disconnected us from human relationships. People are out there searching for understanding and connection.
+
+This world is getting scary, and people are wondering what in the world is going to happen. Doomsday theories, conspiracy theories, the list goes on and on. The same thing was happening when Jesus arrived on this earth. The Israelites under Roman rule did not feel much different than many today. The people were looking then (as they are today) at what was being offered, and found it to be empty. There had to be something more, they just didn’t know what that something was until Christ appeared.
+
+**2. Many churches fail to gather a harvest because they cannot perceive the harvest.**
+
+Most churches continue “doing church” as usual, assuming that most people in the community are Christians, further assuming that their ministry is merely the nurturing and caring of said Christians. Often church leaders and their members are in denial (or simply choose to ignore) the number of pre-Christians, unchurched Christians, and hurting young people both in the church and in the community. More often than not, many of these do not even know many unchurched people. Another point and problem that remains quietly in the background that should be considered: just because someone is in our church does not mean they are a Christian who has experienced a true conversion.
+
+**3. Christianity has too few laborers to gather the harvest.**
+
+In most traditional churches, including my own, we ask our people to share the good news and invite people to church, or various outreach programs our church is conducting. They either don’t do it, or they go out (that) that day, hand out flyers about the event, return to the church, and are done.
+
+As leaders, we gently push and prod our members to share their faith and invite, but they don’t do it.
+
+We may even provide good evangelism training. Our members take the training, like it, and believe that sharing their faith is important, but they still don’t do it.
+
+There are two main reasons this happens. The first is that many, including I myself at one time, have attempted to labor and have come out of the harvest empty-handed. When my wife and I first started doing the biker ministry, we went out with copies of Steps to Christ, the way I had been taught. I was raised with Ingathering. As a Pathfinder, every year we would go out Ingathering and hand out books. After leaving the church and returning, I went back to my root concept and understanding of evangelism. So we bought a bunch of Steps to Christ books, put our name and contact information inside, and begin handing them out. Ninety-nine percent of the responses were “That’s religion; I don’t want anything to do with it.” This went on for two years, and we finally began to ask ourselves, “What are we doing wrong?” Two years we went through this, and we’re thinking, Wow, what are we doing wrong? At this point many give up in discouragement.
+
+My wife and I were that discouraged; however, rather than give up, we decided to look at Christ’s ministry and emulate whatever we were led to discover. After an inductive look at Christ’s ministry, we decided it was time to get out of God’s way with our own ideas of how to reach people. We decided we were just going to mingle and fellowship without an agenda. Our spiritual agenda became like Christ’s. We met people, built relationships with them, meeting whatever needs they had as best we could. We comforted when the need arose; we laughed and mourned with them. Our new ministry philosophy was affirmed that weekend when God placed a ready soul in our path to be harvested. We prayed through the sinner’s prayer with him as he accepted Christ. God’s Spirit showed up, and let me tell you, that is the most amazing experience my wife and I have ever had.
+
+The second reason for traditional evangelism failure is largely a result of the first: many traditional churches are no longer able to reach, receive, retain, and grow receptive people in their own individual ministry areas.
+
+The root causes are essentially that harvesting and nurturing has changed, and we have no idea how to harvest or nurture the change. So we continue to go with what we know, we attempt to do the same thing, sometimes wrapping it up in a shiny new package. It may work for a moment, but in the very near future, we find it ending in failure. We fail to gather a harvest; sometimes, at a costly expense, we often brutally damage or destroy whatever “sprouts” may be or have been developing. Again, I make this statement based upon personal experience working with people, both young and older, in the secular community as well as our own church youth.
+
+There are several reasons for this occurrence. Christians tend to assume the following:
+
+1. What motivated us will motivate them.
+2. The approach that reached me (us) is the approach that will reach them.
+3. They already know what we are talking about.
+4. Those we are witnessing to will like the church well enough to be able to respond affirmatively to our effort.
+
+Did you notice something interesting? That list of reasons is all about us, isn’t it? Our approach is all what we think should be happening. It isn’t what we think will work—it is allowing God to lead and use us in the way He knows we need to be used. Our evangelism efforts continue to utilize and rely on these traditional approaches, both within our own programs, ministering to our young people, and reaching out to the community. The results of these approaches are yielding declining and/ or completely zero results. Other churches have just given up on these approaches, not bothering to replace them.
+
+At this point the results should come as no surprise. Our own youth, who have grown up in the church, are leaving the church, and a vast majority of churches have not reached or discipled any really unchurched or secular person.
+
+“But our church has grown in membership.” That may very well be; however, is that growth from our witnessing effort, or is it from transfer of memberships from other churches? The final question: How many members are on the books but not seen in church?
+
+Let’s keep it simple and ask, “Is it the goal of a ‘traditional church’ for people to be religious and ‘become like us’?” This includes believing, behaving, having the same experience as we have. With this goal in mind, do we focus mainly on theology and doctrine, handing people the glasses with which to decipher God’s Word the way we think they should decipher it? This does not promote or encourage a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus.
+
+In our ministry efforts and preparations to receive others into our church family, have we stopped to consider just what people, youth, and unchurched may be perceiving when they experience “traditional church”?
+
+The gravitational pull of our human nature is self-serving. It does not look to serve others. Church congregations are made up of humans. Unless a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus is developed, the church as a body will seek to focus on its own needs and wants. Unchurched as well as our youth are seeing the hypocrisy. They are hearing the words, but not seeing the actions. Unless we are willing to be honest about ourselves and our shortcomings, giving up the idea that we need to be the perfect example of Christianity, and begin our walk with Christ at the center of our personal lives, we will never be anything more than Seventh-day Pharisees.
+
+Consider their approach for a moment: “I know the law, and that law is going to make me good enough to get me into a relationship with Christ.” We all know how well that worked out for the Pharisees. Keeping the law was all well and good, but they were not keeping it because of their love for God—they were keeping the law because of their love for themselves.
+
+Our “knee-jerk” solutions to the youth problem in our church have typically been one of the following two. The first is not unfamiliar to me, as it is the same that I experienced growing up: we ignore it. We ignore the situation, hoping that youth and young adults will somehow right themselves when they are older and have their own children. All this advertises to the young people is that leaders, parents, and church members have missed the significance of the times and the needs of the young people, choosing instead to call it a phase they will hopefully grow out of. The truth is that this has been going on a lot longer than many want to admit; the proof of this lies in the fact that we are here having this discussion.
+
+The second “knee-jerk” solution is that we exhaust all efforts to appeal to the teens and young adults. Great, we recognized the need and are addressing the problem. However, this approach excludes the older members and “builds the church on the preferences of the young people, and not on the pursuit of personal and intimate relationship with God. . . . One response I received from parents and a pastor was “Hey, at least they are at church.” The facts of that particular program and philosophy: Two of the girls in this particular Sabbath School became pregnant by two of the boys, and a half dozen others are into drugs and have disappeared.
+
+Let’s continue to be honest: maybe it goes beyond the needs and wants of members; maybe it boils down to preferences. Have any of you ever tried to lead beyond the preferences of the church members? In fact, maybe it is not even the church members, but a specific patriarchal member or the patriarchal member and their following. Here is a result of personal experience.
+
+We were working with a church in California where a singular pastor and I were trying to combat the things we have identified thus far. The church had already completed a health survey and was found to be deficient in all eight areas. I was working with the youth and assisting the pastor. As we began to implement new strategies, our voicemails from a patriarchal member and his following blew up, our e-mails blew up, and we started having meeting after meeting. The church was called into a general session by the head elder; the pastor was seated by himself in front of the church, facing the congregation area, while the rest of the congregation, led by the elders, began to fire accusation after accusation at the pastor. That is how terrible it was. The bottom line is that many feel as if it is their right to have the church fit into their tastes and whims, and the church body as a whole suffers because of it.
+
+Attempting to keep a congregation happy will not work for three primary reasons:
+
+1. This method of Christianity is killing the church.
+2. Attendance is stagnating or on the rapid decline as people drift further and further from Christ. In fact, if we are to be completely honest, this is less of practicing Christ’s likeness and more of making the same mistakes the Pharisees did; we are replicating them exactly.
+3. It is WRONG! We cannot please everybody in our church, and if we are trying, we are wrong. The bottom line: when our preferences begin causing people to leave the church (the church is the body of Christ, not a building, denomination, or religion) and keeps the unchurched people from the promise of Christ’s free gift of salvation, it is time to change our preferences and make Christ our preference of priority.
+
+My wife and I are both very passionate. She hates the way I drive— she thinks I should be going one direction, which, in her opinion is the better and shorter route between point A and point B. I personally feel it is about the journey, not the destination, and if a wrong turn occurs, not a big deal. She feels it is necessary to criticize and hound me. This at times turns into quite the “discussion.” One particular day this began to occur when something suddenly dawned on me. I simply stated, “Honey, I am not going to argue with an opinion.” I must admit I felt a bit smug because this statement ended the discussion. More important, however, I had discovered a powerful tool in communication and leadership. There is no point in arguing opinions. Arguing in this manner is simply trying to prove that our opinion is more right than the other and that we will do whatever it takes to make sure we convince the other person that we are right.
+
+This correlates directly into our Christian experience, doesn’t it? Some of the most volatile meetings I have ever attended on a regular basis are church board meetings. What a mess. I wonder at times: “Where is Christ in all of this mess?” The apostles warn and encourage us to not be divisive, to be kindhearted, to love and encourage each other . . . and then you sit in a church board meeting and wonder, Are we as Christian brothers and sisters living this concept right now? It’s not like you can stand up and say, “Is Christ in this meeting with us right now, because it certainly doesn’t feel like it.”
+
+So the million-dollar question is What do we do about this? We focus on the fundamentals. At the beginning of a training camp in July of 1961, Vince Lombardi, recognized as one of the greatest football coaches of all time, stood up in front of 38 professional football players. Mr. Lombardi held a football out in front of him and said, “Gentleman, this is a football.”
+
+The Green Bay Packers, having lost a substantial lead and the championship to the Philadelphia Eagles the preceding season, would, six months later, defeat the New York Giants 37-0 to win the NFL championship. They would never again lose another playoff game, and would go on to win five championships in a seven-year period, including three in a row. Vince Lombardi never coached a team with a losing record.
+
+As Christians, what is our fundamental? It is developing our personal and intimate relationship with Christ. It always has been. Christ depended solely on His relationship with God; in turn, He taught His disciples to depend on the same through Him, and then the Holy Spirit. I have to ask (and I am not trying to be antagonistic), When did we lose sight of this fundamental? This is what our primary focus is supposed to be, and it works. Do math Christ’s way: He started with four disciples, then multiplied by three. Then those 12 turned to 120, who were gathered in a room praying. God poured His Spirit out upon them, and 3,000 were added to their number . . . in one day. At the very core of this success was absolute dependence and trust in Christ, letting Him take care of the details. God’s math, God’s work, not ours; I believe that can still happen today if we would simply plug back into what we should be plugged into to begin with.
+
+What is to be gained from focusing on that single fundamental? We will be an open conduit that will allow Christ to use us when and where he knows we need to be used. We will begin to emulate his love and compassion to others. We will begin connecting with them in a way that will attract and not push away.
+
+There are six ways that Jesus connected with people:
+
+1. **Affirmation**—Whenever Jesus approached somebody one-on-one, He affirmed them as a human being.
+2. **Acceptance**—He accepted them for where they were at. They did not need to meet a bunch of standards to be accepted by Him. “Come as you are right now; I will make the change.” He appreciated them for who He created them to be, not what they were at that moment.
+3. **Appreciation**—He appreciated them for who He created them to be, not where they were at. We see God showing appreciation at Jesus’ baptism: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, NKJV). A paraphrase of Paul’s letter to the Romans is “I love you; here’s what I appreciate about you . . .” Paul goes on to list that the whole world is talking about you. As a sports coach, we would call this a positive coaching method. When we affirm the positive, we spend a whole lot less time having to correct the negative.
+4. **Affection**—Appropriate affection. Every single time Christ was one on one with somebody, there was a physical touch involved. He knelt down with a leper. He helped him up, He put sod on the eyes, He put a child on His lap, there was always affection and always physical touch. In a world today that is starving for affection, people are finding it in very unhealthy and negative ways, seeking out physical forms of affection that provide a fleeting moment of euphoria and pleasure, as opposed to a long-term love relationship with Christ and His body (the church). This is where our young people are going, they are looking to fill a God-shaped hole that they don’t know how to fill. So they are seeking anything and everything they can to fill it. Only to find more emptiness.
+5. **Availability**—Christ always made Himself available. Nicodemus, the rich young ruler, the children, the Samaritan woman at the well—the list goes on and on. In working with alcoholics and addicts who are recovering, one never knows when they will need support. Our phone has rung at 2:00 in the morning. My wife would roll over and say, “I will go put a pot of coffee on.” I would then spend the next two plus hours talking to someone because they were in crisis and wanted to go drink.
+6. **Accountability**—So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God. This is so important. What exactly are we going to be held accountable to? Whether or not we have a personal and intimate relationship with Christ. Remember what Christ said, “I am not going to know you if you don’t know Me. If you haven’t spent the time to get to know Me I don’t know you.” It is not through anybody else. Abraham had a covenant with God, then God had to make a covenant with Isaac, and then Jacob. Why? Because it is not transferable() . . . it is individual.
+
+This is the core fundamental that we need to return to. Back to basics for Christians is not a football, but Christ. The previous presentation was on stewardship. As the presenter was speaking, I was thinking, We could have done this together. Most people hear the word “stewardship” and immediately think of money. We are stewards of time, we are stewards of people and how we relate to them, and we are accountable. If God were to audit our stewardship of His creation and desire for all to know Him, what would those results be?
+
+Are we truly caring for people? The only way to unselfishly and truly care for people is to connect with Christ personally and intimately. Only then will we be able to start looking at others and seeing them the way God sees them. We have to connect with Him.
+
+We can have all the programs in the world, and they will do no good. Nothing is going to happen, because it is something we are attempting to do, not something that we are living . . . and that is the difference.
+
+_A military veteran of 10 years, Brian Litzenberger served in the United States Army and the United States Coast Guard. While serving in the Army, he was trained as a recruiting and retention NCO. Honorably discharged in 2001, Litzenberger spent the next few years working in public safety. He is a certified EMT and worked in that field for four years. Over the years, Litzenberger has volunteered his time to Pathfinders, Cub Scouts, and coaching youth sports: volleyball and lacrosse. Brian Litzenberger and his wife have been ministering in the secular community of alcoholics and addicts for 20 years. They founded a motorcycle club that was focused on introducing Christ into the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Currently he works with the pastor of his local church in developing a small-group ministry and teaching the youth Sabbath School. Litzenberger has been asked, on several occasions, to speak at conference Pathfinder events and local churches. He holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, with an emphasis in religion, criminal justice, and psychology, and is currently working on his master’s degree in pastoral ministry._
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+title: Connecting with the Disconnected
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diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/26-people-behind-numbers-a-positive-perspective-of-membership-auditing/01.md b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/26-people-behind-numbers-a-positive-perspective-of-membership-auditing/01.md
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+---
+title: "People Behind Numbers: A Positive Perspective of Membership Auditing"
+---
+
+_Edward Heidinger and Charles Rampanelli_
+
+### Fundamental Considerations
+
+As a church, our greatest treasure are people (Malachi 3:17). They were entrusted to us by God as His flock (John 10:16), His family (1 John 3:1, 2).<sup>1</sup> It is our duty to work for their salvation.<sup>2</sup>
+
+“The Secretariat has information about these members. However, the information is relevant when it is updated and used. The more this information about our members, the more effective pastoral care becomes. Thus, up-to-date member data provide key information for more effective pastoral work.”
+
+“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4).
+
+What is the situation of the sheep?
+
+_She is lost._
+
+What is the pastoral attention?
+
+_The pastor goes and finds her._
+
+How does the pastor know that the sheep is lost?
+
+_He has to count them!_
+
+Misunderstanding of the needs and challenges faced by members can cause problems. We need to know the members and their individual characteristics. An option that helps us keep up-to-date member data for pastoral work is the Permanent Review Program. This is a simple means of working through which members can be taken care of permanently, analyzing their condition, establishing and executing plans to reach and develop them.
+
+### How to Conduct The Permanent Review Program?<sup>3</sup>
+
+As a solution for this, the Special Revision Group (SRG) can be a great tool. The Special Revision Group is a permanent subcommittee that works with the local church directive committee.<sup>4</sup>
+
+#### Special Revision Group—Composition:
+
+1. Four to six members chosen by the church board.
+2. Suggestion: pastor, elder, clerk, treasurer, and two or three more members who are familiar with the congregation.
+3. It should operate permanently. The board may replace the members as needed.
+
+#### Responsibilities of the SRG
+
+1. Screen all names in the membership records, classifying them in one of these auxiliary lists:
+
+- Regular Frequent Members
+- Regular Nonfrequent Members
+- Attends Another SDA Church
+- Absent Members List
+- Members to Rescue
+
+2. Update the five lists every 12 months.
+
+3. Meet to follow up on the progress of the Permanent Review Program.
+
+4. Present a report of the work done to the church board—once every three months. This should be one of the first items of the agenda.
+
+#### Responsibilities of the Church Board<sup>5</sup>
+
+1. Appreciate the reports presented by the SRG.
+2. Appoint a person responsible to lead the work in favor of each group list.<sup>6</sup>
+3. Define what types of service/care should be provided to the members of each list.
+4. The committee may follow the evolution of each list by checking 
+the increase or decrease of members in each list. Quarterly you can devote time to this task. In addition, for example, you can conduct deeper studies and plans for specific groups or special age groups. In a quarter, rescued youth can be targeted for special actions. At the next meeting, seniors who are classified as infrequent regulars may be involved. And so on.
+5. Provide a list to the pastor/elder with the names of the members who left the church, to be considered for the Reunion Project (rescue of former members). In a church with many members, a subcommittee to work with a large number of members to be rescued may be formed.
+
+#### Responsibilities of the Church Clerk
+
+1. Provide an updated membership list from ACMS (Secretariat System) and the forms for the five auxiliary lists used for the activities of the SRG.
+2. Participate in the elaboration of the five auxiliary lists as member of the SRG.
+3. Based on the auxiliary lists, update each member’s record on ACMS after the SRG has submitted its report in the church board.
+4. Update membership ranking during the period between the SRG meetings. This classification will be validated by the executive committee, whenever analyzed on its agenda.
+5. To include on the executive committee’s agenda quarterly the membership rating analysis. The secretariat may even suggest specific studies to assist the committee in planning the care of its members. Newly baptized members, absent from Sabbath School, new generation, not frequent because of work (those who travel, for example), age or health, among others.
+6. Monitor the progress of the work done with the members of the five lists. The secretariat, by constantly updating member rankings, can view and assist in monitoring, supervising, and caring for members with the knowledge of the context surrounding the members. Therefore, in a large church, a larger team is likely to be needed to assist the local church secretary.
+
+#### The Five Auxiliary Lists
+
+These lists are confidential. Only members’ names, without additional data, should be submitted to members of the SRG and of the local church executive committee. This is a very important issue, because while the classification does not define a specific action for the church, information confidentiality will protect members and will provide church leaders with the time and privacy to engage in the rescue and development of their brethren.<sup>7</sup> Members must be classified on ACMS based on them.
+
+In this working view, members can be classified into five groups: Regular Frequent Members; Regular Nonfrequent Members; Attends Another SDA Church; Absent Members List; Members to Rescue. Next, you can see a brief description of who would form each group and some suggestive actions for them.
+
+**Regular Frequent Members**
+
+Members who attend frequently
+Newly baptized members (past 12 months)
+Other members
+
+_Procedures_:
+
+- Update the information on their membership records.
+- Have a permanent visitation plan.
+- Involve them in church ministries.
+- Although these members are attending church, be careful that they do not change their ranks by helping them to stay connected to Jesus in a life of real discipleship.<sup>8</sup>
+
+**Regular Nonfrequent Members**
+Members with irregular attendance
+Members with difficulty of locomotion
+- Elderly members
+- Members who are ill
+- People with special needs
+
+_Procedures_:
+
+- Update the information on their membership records.
+- Develop a visitation plan that meets the needs perceived for each case.
+- Involve them in church ministries, especially Sabbath School.
+
+NOTE: Try to create condition so that they may become regular, frequent members.
+
+This may be one of the groups that should pay more attention to their potential risk. If something is not done for them, they will probably change their ranking, and it will not be to the frequent ranking.
+
+**Attends Another SDA Church**
+
+Members to be received
+Members to send
+
+_Procedures_:
+
+- Members to be received: Follow the process as outlined in Chapter 4 and move their name to the regular members’ list.
+- Members to send: Inform the church where they currently are members, through ACMS, that they desire a transfer and wait for this church to send the letter of yransfer.
+- Members who are attending a church other than the church where they are registered at may be at risk of not receiving the pastoral care and attention needed to develop their lives with God and the community of believers.
+
+**Absent Members List**
+
+Members who have not attended church services for more than six months and whose whereabouts are unknown
+
+_Procedures_:
+
+- Post the list on the church’s bulletin board and publish on ACMS.
+- Distribute this list to church officials and other members who can help.
+- After you have spent at least two years with no success in locating the member, and exhausted all resources in this search, follow the process of the _Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual_ and remove the name from the auxiliary list.
+- Perhaps because they are not permanently monitored by the church, either in a Sabbath School class or by the local church executive committee, these members have entered a challenging situation, where removal will probably be the end result.
+
+**Members to Rescue**
+
+Members who are not living in harmony with church doctrines
+
+_Procedures_:
+
+- Organize the Reunion Project, which includes a visitation plan.
+- In case the member returns, move their name to the auxiliary list of regular members.
+- The rescued member must be involved in an active discipleship plan, in saving others, to be developed and not to return to his or her state.<sup>9</sup>
+- After having made every effort to rescue,<sup>10</sup> but have had no success, apply the corresponding disciplinary measure according to the procedures specified in the _Church Manual_ and remove their name from the auxiliary list.
+
+Currently, all members of the South Brazil Union Conference are classified under ACMS in one of five groups. Reviews, meetings, plans, and actions at all levels within this framework are a result of this desire to better shepherd its members.
+
+But how can you rank all members of a region with more than 2,000 churches? In addition, how to continue the process started so that the data is updated and used for the best results?<sup>11</sup> To reach this destination requires a road and a vehicle.
+
+### Plan For Excellence—The Road<sup>12</sup>
+
+In order for the secretariat to continue with the plan it had begun, to execute it with excellence, something more was needed. We did not expect only punctual actions, but a process. In addition, new clerks in local churches needed full instruction and in a short time for the movement to continue.
+
+For this, we needed a way, a guide that would tell us what was expected of a secretary/clerk. This route should be simple and understandable, but complete and involve the day-to-day work of the secretariat.
+
+Then the idea came from a secretary! Why don’t we have a program of excellence, with requirements to be met, with points for each activity? The name of the excellence program in Portuguese is _Secretaria Nota 1000_ (in English, it could be translated as “Class A Clerk”). The goal is to motivate and encourage the local church secretariat to do its job with excellence.
+
+One of the great secrets to the effectiveness of this plan is a year-round monitoring and follow-up process.<sup>13</sup> Only launching of the excellence plan is not enough. Quarterly reports, controls, and incentives are fundamental.
+
+At first, all the secretaries of the local churches communicated directly with the conference. The work was getting clearer and clearer, but it was still necessary to speed up the information, instruction, and execution of the secretariat’s activities.
+
+Within the excellence plan, each activity has a specific score totaling 1,000 points (hence the name in Portuguese). The higher the challenge and importance of the item, the higher the score. Some items, because they are only partially fulfilled and a partial score is still achieved. Others require full compliance for the score. A gift recognition is given to each secretary who reaches 1,000 points. However, the greatest prize is to know that work is done with excellence, for our God is worthy of it.<sup>14</sup> The more the secretary gets involved in doing the work effectively, the more joy and energy are involved, bringing positive results to the local church and the care of members.<sup>15</sup>
+
+The requirements in the plan of excellence broadly involve the work of the local church secretary. When the plan began, he had simpler items. Over the years (this program began to be implemented in 2014 in the North Santa Catarina Conference, and in 2016 throughout the South Brazil Union Conference) the level of difficulty of the items was increasing, as well as the development of the local church secretaries. In addition, the percentage of secretaries who reach the highest score increases year by year. In addition, 7 standard requirements for all conferences, and they are free to add additional items as indicated by the local need.
+
+To assist the secretaries of the local churches, 6 of the 9 Conferences of the South Brazil Union Conference have a Secretariat Auditor, being one of the main activities to assist in the process of classifying and analyzing the list of members. In addition, a simple manual has been prepared with guidelines on how to accomplish each of the excellence plan requirements. These guidelines include images of the secretariat’s system for carrying out actions in the office, as well as advice for conducting activities, such as preparing for the local church board. One of the most commonly used items in this material are the suggestive models of agenda and vows for the minutes of the local church (one of the requirements of the plan of excellence).
+
+Below is a comparison of the requirements of the years 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. In 2015 there was only one change, indicated below. The requirements of 2016 were the same as 2015 requirements.
+
+**Class A Clerk—2014**
+
+1. Use the ACMS frequently (at least once a month—in 2015 this item has been expanded to at least twice a month).
+2. Attend the trainings.
+3. Register the church officials in the ACMS.
+4. Update the membership registry.
+5. Register the baptismal cards in the ACMS.
+6. Register the church in the ACMS.
+7. Complete the integrated report on a quarterly basis.
+8. Conduct the reunion project.
+9. Have a discipleship plan for the newly baptized.
+10. Participate in the committees and write the minutes.
+
+**Class A Clerk—2017**
+
+1. Participate in the trainings (regional, integrated, district, etc.).
+2. Register the officers in the ACMS.
+3. Update the list of members.
+4. Update the member registry (address, contact, pictures, etc.).
+5. Register the ACMS baptism cards.
+6. Keep the church record updated on the ACMS (updated church and mailing address, church contacts, service times, church picture, etc.).
+7. Complete the integrated report of the departments on the requested dates.
+8. Conduct the reunion project (actions to rescue people away from the church).
+9. Enroll 100 percent of Sabbath School members.
+10. Standardized committees and registries.
+11. Participate in committees.Keep the book of minutes updated. Keep the book of acts updated.Keep the wedding book updated.
+
+**Class A Clerk—2018**
+
+1. Register the baptismal vow forms on ACMS.
+2. Update the membership lists on ACMS.
+3. Update membership records on ACMS.
+4. Register officers on ACMS.
+5. Complete the ACMS integrated report for departments by the requested date.
+6. Organize the reunion project.
+7. Enroll 100 percent of members in Sabbath School.
+8. Prepare church board agendas.
+9. Prepare book of minutes according to standards.
+10. Keep the book of minutes updated.
+
+**Class A Clerk—2019**
+
+1. Biannual classification of members on ACMS.
+2. Analysis of CRM/discipleship in the monthly agenda of the church board.
+3. Register the baptismal vow forms on ACMS.
+4. Update membership lists on ACMS.
+5. Integrated reports.
+6. Reunion project.
+7. Prepare minutes according to standard.
+
+**Class A Clerk—2020**
+
+1. Review the updated rank in the committee (quarterly).
+2. Analysis of the CRM in the executive committee (monthly).
+3. Register baptism cards in the ACMS (soon after they are forwarded).
+4. Update the list of members in ACMS (throughout the year). Complete the integrated report in ACMS (January, April, July, and October).
+5. Carry out the reunion project/rescue of the Estranged (throughout the year).
+6. Prepare the standardized book of minutes (throughout the year).
+
+### Districts Secretariat—The Vehicle<sup>16</sup>
+
+At this point we felt the need for a means through which the clerks, who by now knew the way, to know how to move in it. We felt they needed someone who could accompany and aid in their difficulties.<sup>17</sup> That is how the idea for district secretaries came about!
+
+The process of implementing the district secretaries program is relatively simple and quite natural. We can divide it into four parts:
+
+I. Appointment
+II. Training
+III. Mission
+IV. Motivation
+
+#### I. Appointment<sup>18</sup>
+
+The profile and the character of the district secretary are important to the choice and performance of this task.<sup>19</sup> Experience and technical knowledge are important in this function, but accessibility, availability, agility, and ability to relate and motivate are much more. The position of the clerk is technical. The position of district secretary is one of leadership. Demand and profile are different.
+
+The process by which a district secretary is elected may vary. It may happen through a voting process among church clerks, but we have seen good results when we ask for the suggestion of the district pastor. This brings authority and support to the district secretary.
+
+#### II. Training
+
+The district secretary will need to be trained, instructed, and closely monitored, especially after their appointment. Because the profile and demands of this function are different from those of a church clerk, district secretaries need to know exactly what is expected of them, what tools they will have and how to use them.
+
+**Training can occur in a few ways:**
+
+- Annual meeting of district secretaries
+- In person, by the executive secretary, auditor or conference secretariat, especially for those newly appointed
+- Videoconference meetings (Zoom, Skype, etc.)
+- Online tests/quizzes about the Secretariat’s Guide and Church Manual
+
+**Among the tools available to the district secretary are:**
+
+- Teamwork
+- Quarterly and annual incentives
+- Quarterly and annual evaluations (Class A Clerk)
+- Follow-up through telephone and WhatsApp
+- Quarterly meetings
+- Occasional visits
+- Assistance from District pastor
+- Support from the Conference
+- Much prayer, friendship, relationship, and love
+
+#### III. Mission
+
+The district secretariat is the vehicle, but the road is the plan for excellence. To maximize results, the district secretariat must have a very clear and measurable mission.
+
+The district secretaries measure their efficiency as local clerks develop in the plan for excellence, the Class A Clerk.
+
+This is where the vehicle finds a road to excellence. District secretaries knows that a large part of their job is to help local church clerks reach their goals during the year in each church of their district.
+
+#### IV. Motivation
+
+Keeping the group happy, integrated, and motivated is just as important as the previous items. Suggestions to be practiced:
+
+- Annual awards for those who reach a percentage of the proposed goals
+- Annual meeting in a pleasant place<sup>20</sup>
+- Quarterly meetings with the purpose of interaction of clerks in their districts/regions
+- Sporadic visits from Conference employees in their homes
+- Phone calls
+- Contact via WhatsApp messages and groups
+- Make funds available for their work
+- Total availability, fast and priority service to this group
+
+The system of district secretaries will not lessen the work of the conference executive secretary, but will exponentially increase the results achieved in the pursuit of excellence and the salvation of people.
+
+### Conclusion
+
+Seeing people as the church’s greatest treasure is necessary, but dealing with numbers in this context is a challenge. Seeing only inputs and outputs is not enough. We need to know the current context of the members we have. Excellent and sustained commitment by the church secretariat and leadership is also needed to do better than what has been done so far.
+
+Some actions have shown good results, but steady progress is vital in this process. These things (plan for excellence and district secretaries) help us to see people behind numbers.
+
+_Edward Heidinger was born in Peru on October 2, 1978. He is married to Susana Heidinger and has two daughters: Priscilla, 14, and Rebekah, 7. He has two bachelor’s degrees: business administration (1999) and theology (2003). He holds a master’s degree in theology (2016) and is beginning his doctoral studies in ministry at Andrews University. He was a district pastor; field department director and executive secretary; union department director, executive secretary, and president; assistant to the president and (currently) executive secretary of the South American Division._
+
+_Charles Edson Rampanelli, Brazilian, was born on October 21, 1978. He is married to Márcia L.B.G. Rampanelli and has two children: Júlia M. G. Rampanelli, 13, and Guilherme G. Rampanelli, 10. He has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in theology from the Brazil Adventist University, and has been a pastor since 2000. He has worked in several areas of ministry: as an auxiliary pastor, a pastor in the educational area, a district pastor, and departmental director in several areas, as well as executive secretary in local conferences. He is currently the executive secretary of the South Brazil Union Conference._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _Principles for Christian Leaders_, pp. 16-18.
+
+<sup>2</sup> In the last days, there will be only one remnant. John says of these that they “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17, KJV).
+
+<sup>3</sup> Church Secretarial Guide, chapter 10, South American Division.
+
+<sup>4</sup> _Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual_, p. 132.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Ibid., p. 131: “Study membership lists and initiate plans for reconnecting (reclaiming) members who have separated from the church.”
+
+<sup>6</sup> About the care in dealing with people who have departed from the church, see Thom S. Rainer, _The Book of Church Growth_, p. 284.
+
+<sup>7</sup> E. G. White, p. 134.
+
+<sup>8</sup> See Jim Howard, _Discipleship Handbook_, p. 3.
+
+<sup>9</sup> “Christians who are constantly growing in earnestness, in zeal, in fervor, in love—such Christians never backslide” (Ellen G. White, in _Review and Herald_, June 7, 1887).
+
+<sup>10</sup> About the job to save the saints, see John Piper, _Brothers, We Are Not Professionals_, pp. 121-127.
+
+<sup>11</sup> To analyze the role of leadership to start and continue the process with the purpose of developing people, see Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, _The Trellis and the Vine_, pp. 102-110.
+
+<sup>12</sup> Secretary’s Agenda 2019—South Brazilian Union Conference.
+
+<sup>13</sup> “Those who are placed in responsible positions should feel it their duty to recognize talent. They should learn how to use men, and how to advise them” (Ellen G. White, _Christian Leadership_, p. 57.
+
+<sup>14</sup> “We must strive for excellence because it is the excellence that honors God. It is the excellence that inspires people” (Bill Hybels, Axioms, p. 251).
+
+<sup>15</sup> About the trust placed in the team and its results, see Stephen M. R. Covey, _The Speed of Trust_, p. 230.
+
+<sup>16</sup> Participation of Harry James Streithorst, executive secretary of the North Santa Catarina Conference.
+
+<sup>17</sup> About the importance and the foundation of today’s leading leaders, see Emilson dos Reis, _How to Lead_, p. 30.
+
+<sup>18</sup> Choosing people to form a team is a challenge. Some pitfalls and advice to assist with this process can be found in Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson, _Leading From the Second Chair_, pp. 94-97.
+
+<sup>19</sup> “The Lord will use humble [people] to do a great and good work. Through them He will represent to the world the ineffaceable characteristics of the divine nature” (Ellen G. White _Letter 270_, 1907).
+
+<sup>20</sup> About work and recreation, see Greg McKeown, _Esssentialism_, p. 96.
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+---
+title: "The Care and Rescue of Members Who Left the Church: “Reencounter Project”"
+---
+
+_Emanuel Guimarães_
+
+The church, throughout its history, has developed various methods of evangelism to reach people and has achieved great growth, yet many members have stopped attending church, departing from God’s ways. Apostasy is a real problem in practically every denomination.
+
+When we analyze a local church, we find basically three ways or methods of growth.
+
+The first way is growth by evangelism. We reach out to new members through public and personal evangelism. Public evangelism is like fishing with a net—the fisher seeks large numbers of fish; personal evangelism is like a fisher catching one fish at a time. In public evangelism the retention rate may be higher or lower depending on the location and ability of the local church to receive these new converts. In personal evangelism, however, retention rates are higher.
+
+The second way is biological growth: we grow up with children of church members born of believing parents in Adventist faith and doctrine. In countries in which the birth rate per family is currently low, this factor has been reflected in the aging of the church because there are not many children and young people, and so the biological growth is very low.
+
+The third way of growing a local church is to increase the number of members by transfer. Members move for many reasons and circumstances; they ask for their transfer letter and are received into the new community, increasing the regular number of members of that community.
+
+### A New Method
+
+The local church grows by evangelism, biological growth, and transfers. But there is a new and extraordinary way or method that seeks to evangelize and bring back to the good shepherd’s fold those who have stopped attending church and turned away from God’s ways. It is the evangelism that we call the Reencounter Project, with excellent results and wonderful experiences.
+
+There is currently a lot of research on the loss of church members. But a survey, which caught my attention, was conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, with two groups of people: those who left the church and turned away from God and have not returned yet; and those members who departed from the church, returned, were rebaptized, and are today firm in the faith.
+
+### Reasons Members Left the Church
+
+With the first group of members, who left the church and have not yet returned, various reasons were given similar to the various surveys already conducted on loss of church members— problems such as relationships, personal problems, and many other issues with very small rates. Some of these answers are understandable, but most of the reasons were not relevant, considering that many still had a hurt heart and feelings.
+
+The second group of members is composed of former members who have returned to the church, were rebaptized, and are now firm in the faith. They cited several factors similar to research already conducted. But one important and crucial question was asked: What was the main reason or motive that caused you to actually leave the church?
+
+The answer presented two very relevant points: (1) a spiritual crisis in their life; (2) a personal decision to abandon the faith.
+
+### Reasons the Members Returned
+
+The reasons former members return to church are interesting and important for the local church to understand its missionary and spiritual role in the rescue. The following points were cited in general terms:
+
+1. They missed the fellowship with church members. The sense of community and fellowship greatly marks the lives of church members.
+
+2. They felt a stronger desire to return when they encountered a very warm, cordial, and Christian church reception.
+
+3. Music plays an important role in life, and many felt strongly influenced by music to return.
+
+4. Other variable factors were cited, in very small percentages and similar to the surveys already conducted.
+
+But a crucial and important question was asked directly to those who left the church, returned, and are firm in their faith today: What was the strongest, most relevant feeling or factor that made you really decide to go back to God’s ways?
+
+The impact of the answer is very impressive and enlightening. They answered that the main factor was discovering that someone was constantly praying for them, not giving up interceding before Christ so that they would be impressed to return. And a second main reason was finding out that someone in the church really cared about them personally, showing Christianity and patience, and seeking to fulfill their necessities.
+
+Basically, we can conclude that most leave the church for spiritual reasons and return for spiritual reasons. Certainly, it is the action of the Holy Spirit through people who have interceded in prayer that touches the hearts of former members.
+
+Redeeming members who have left the church has to do with spiritual matters and is a way to develop missionary discipleship.
+
+If we begin a great movement of faith, prayer, and work ,“many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd.”<sup>1</sup>
+
+The cause of spiritual decline and lack of involvement in mission that have led many to apostasy is the loss of evangelistic passion. A vision of discipleship in the local church toward this rescue ministry is decisive. Christ’s parables illustrate God’s desire to save those who are lost.
+
+Herbert Lockyer, quoting F. W. Boreham, makes an interesting observation: “Mathematics are cold and unconvincing and cannot explain everything. The lost sheep represented 1 percent loss— one out of a hundred; the lost silver meant a 10 percent loss—one out of ten; the lost son was a 50 percent loss—one in two.”<sup>2</sup>
+
+It doesn’t matter if it’s just 1 percent, 10 percent or 50 percent losses. The most important is who goes to get the lost ones who have left the church. Our greatest mission is to go out and seek the sheep that has strayed from God’s ways. In fact, the sheep knows it is lost, but it does not know the way back, and it desperately needs help. Ellen White wrote: “The sheep that has strayed from the fold is the most helpless of all creatures. It must be sought for by the shepherd, for it cannot find its way back. So with the soul that has wandered away from God; he is as helpless as the lost sheep, and unless divine love had come to his rescue he could never find his way to God.”<sup>3</sup>
+
+### Faith, Prayer, and Work
+
+Caring for and rescuing members who have left the church is a discipleship and retention process that involves faith, prayer, and work. The process of growth in faith applies to these three points as well. According to Ellen White: “For the disheartened there is a sure remedy—faith, prayer, work. Faith and activity will impart assurance and satisfaction that will increase day by day.”<sup>4</sup>
+
+Rescuing of members who have strayed from the ways of the Lord is a biblical calling. James wrote: “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:19, 20, NIV).
+
+The church must challenge its leaders to apply this principle of discipleship and spiritual growth for their members to grow in faith, seeking to save those in the family of faith as well. And the church will be strengthened with mission-oriented actions in which pastors play a key role. “The best help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing but planning work for them . . . . If set to work, the despondent\ will soon forget their despondency; the weak will become strong; the ignorant, intelligent, and all will be prepared to present the truth as it is in Jesus.”<sup>5</sup>
+
+### Members’ Participation in the Reencounter Project
+
+The involvement of members of the church in the care and rescue of former members develops a very contagious evangelistic and missionary passion for the following reasons: 1. The community of faith and the sense of a large family is a very strong feeling in the church, so losing a member is very painful for those who really love one another. John wrote, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35, NIV). This Christian love is not inert when it knows that there are sheep of the Lord Jesus needing to be rescued. 2. The low operating cost of reunion evangelism facilitates the local church’s involvement in this rescue ministry. 3. The friendship factor has a strong influence on the members. Many of them have developed fraternal relationships for a long time; some have even grown up together in that local community and this is a facilitating factor for Reencounter Project evangelism. 4. Knowledge of the doctrine speeds up the process of preparation for rebaptism, as they need only a few reinforcement studies at some issues in their Christian journey.
+
+#### Tangible Results
+
+In the experience developed over the past five years in the Central Brazil Union and in the South American Division, results show great gospel victories in the lives of members who returned to the church and were rebaptized through the Reencounter Project. In the Central Brazil Union 18.2 percent of all baptisms achieved were the result of redemption of members by rebaptism. In South America it was 12.9 percent; this represents 154,202 rebaptisms. This is a very important factor in church growth rates.
+
+### Reencounter Project Strategies
+
+With the awakening to search for members who left the church, some strategies were developed:
+
+**1. Reencounter Project Held in Partnership With the World Ten Days of Prayer Project**
+
+The local church is prepared three to six months before rebaptism. A church preparation sermon is preached for the work of visitation and intercessory prayer by distributing the names to the visiting team. A lecture on visiting members who have left the church is very important at this stage of preparation. During these months leading up to the Ten Days of Prayer, church members intercede and regularly visit former members. On the first Saturday of the Ten Days of Prayer, members participate in the local Ten Hours of Fasting by interceding specifically for the people they are praying for and visiting in recent months, so they decide to rebaptism. These special days DVDs with testimonies of returning church members are delivered to the former members, along with other QRCode materials and brochures, which will facilitate contact with other important materials to inspire and nurture these brethren in their faith-building. At the end of the Ten Days of Prayer, we have a great Reencounter baptism ceremony.
+
+This project is very effective because the focus on prayer and caring for the former members is the biggest return factor in reconnecting with members who have left the church.
+
+**2. Reencounter Through Sabbath School Class**
+
+At the beginning of the year, the church secretary and the elder in charge of evangelism of members who left the church make a list of irregular members and those who have left God’s ways. Sabbath School teachers receive names that are distributed per class. Names are passed on to visitation pairs formed within the class. Members receive the prayer card, visit, and plan for intercession for members who have left the church. Each month of the year a rebaptism is performed through the Sabbath School class responsible for that month. Thus, throughout the year the rescue is carried out. The Reencounter Project follow-up is done through the Sabbath School card, which mentions each Saturday the members for whom the class is praying and working for to be back on church.
+
+**3. Reencounter Project in the Evangelistic Weekend in the Local Church**
+
+The local church schedules in its annual calendar a special weekend to hold the Reencounter Project. In this weekend’s schedule a baptism is held to appeal to former members to return to the church. Prior to the program, invitations with QRCode with beautiful testimonies and DVDs are distributed. It is very important to have a careful preparation in the program and sermon, as they must focus on those who have left the church. This evangelistic weekend is very practical and easy to be carried out in the local church.
+
+**4. Reencounter Project Through Youth Prayer Week**
+
+Youth Prayer Week is done with an emphasis on evangelism for those who have left the church.
+
+Young people and church members are looking in advance to visit and invite formers members to attend this special week. They receive QRCode invitations that feature beautiful testimonies videos and DVDs are distributed.
+
+Powerful altar calls are made for former members to return to the church. After this week, the church continues helping and supporting those who answered to the appeals.
+
+**5. Public Evangelism Caravan**
+
+Church members visit former members and invite them for a one-day evangelism program. They deliver invitations and DVDs. An evangelist pastor preaches each night in a different church within the Caravan project.
+
+The preparation of the members for the baptisms that are performed on this special night is done months in advance for the Caravan day. The evangelist makes special altar calls to those who left God’s ways to return to the church.
+
+After the Evangelistic Caravan, the church continues to assist those who accepted the appeal.
+
+**6. Robe of Faith Project**
+
+This project is very interesting and very effective. Because former members are visited and receive a Robe of Faith kit that includes a baptismal robe, a DVD with beautiful experiences of people who have returned to God’s ways, and an invitation to the Reencounter meeting. All former members are included in the local church members’ intercession project. After being assisted and followed up, they are rebaptized. The robe they received as a gift is donated by the rebaptized member to someone who needs to return to God’s ways.
+
+There are several actions that result in the redemption of members who have left the church. And how can we apply this? Choosing and experimenting with the local church the method that is best for each reality. The tried methods encourage us to make the Reencounter:
+
+- Accomplished in partnership with the World Ten Days of Prayer Project
+- Through Sabbath School classes
+- Conducting the Reencounter Project on a special weekend at the local church
+- With Youth Prayer Week
+- Through the Caravans of Public Evangelism
+- Personal Evangelism with the Robe of Faith
+
+### Materials Produced for the Reencounter Project
+
+Materials were prepared for two groups of people: church members and former members.
+
+Church member materials:
+
+- **Intercessory Prayer Card**: Church members are challenged to pray for two or three former members and to visit them. The card is placed on in their Bible for constant remembrance.
+- **Sermons**: 1. Motivation and appeal to church members—is for training on how to carry out the Reencounter project. Usually it is preached three to six months prior to Reencounter Project Day. 2. Reencounter Sermon—It is designed for Reencounter Day for the purpose of reaching former members.
+- **Sabbath School Membership Card**: There is a special space to write the names of those who are away from the church. Each Saturday the teacher and class intercede in prayer. Class members are assigned to visit and pray with them. So the work is done all year round.
+
+The materials for former members are: Invitation card with QRCode, website with exclusive materials and a specific Facebook link for contacts, and testimonies from those returning to the church.
+
+All these actions are aimed solely at seeking and rescuing those who were once in the church. To strengthen new members and prevent dropouts after baptisms or rebaptisms, members are enrolled in the Discipleship School in the “New Creature” Project, where they learn about worship; Sabbath sanctification; tithes and offerings; personal health care and how to preach the gospel.
+
+The Reencounter Project has reached thousands of members who once left the church. But our challenge is to seek every sheep that is far from God’s ways and bring it back to the good shepherd’s fold. This is the challenge of love for the mission that Christ has given us all.
+
+_Emmanuel Guimarães has served the church in several areas, as a pastor, evangelist, ministerial secretary, publishing ministries, Global Mission, Sabbath School and personal ministries, health, ADRA, and during the past nine years he has been executive secretary of conference and union (Central Brazil Union Conference). He holds a master ́s degree in leadership from Andrews University and in theology from UNASP in Brazil. He is the author of several books and articles on church growth. His joy is to train people to preach the gospel and also to rescue members who have left the church. He appreciates reading and swimming. He is married to Lourdes and has three married daughters, Jacqueline (physiotherapist), Gracielle (lawyer), Viviane (physician), and a granddaughter, Julinha._
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> Ellen G. White, _Testimonies for the Church_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 6, p. 401.
+
+<sup>2</sup> F. W. Boreham, in Herbert Lockyer, All the Parables of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1963), p. 282.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ellen G. White, _Christ’s Object Lessons_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1900, 1941), p. 187.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1917), p. 164.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Ellen G. White, Testimony Treasures (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1949), vol. 3, p. 323.
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+title: "The Care and Rescue of Members Who Left the Church: “Reencounter Project”"
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+---
+title: Discipling, Nurturing, and Reclaiming
+---
+
+_Gerson P. Santos_
+
+### Discipleship
+
+During the past few decades Seventh-day Adventist membership records have reported a loss of about 40 percent. Even worse, more than half of those who left were considered missing or unknown. One can rationalize that in some cases it was an accumulative loss that was reported during membership or statistical auditing, but that doesn’t acknowledge whether it was a twoor three-year loss or an ongoing loss of 10 or 20 years.
+
+Membership loss is not unique to this denomination. In recent years North American mainline denominations have lost one third of their membership. Christian leaders attribute the current situation to faulty discipleship. The foundation problem of the church is that it embodies superficial discipleship. The Apostolic church had a simple but very effective organization, and discipleship had high standards. They did not have a clear separation between clergy and laity, because all believers constituted the people of God. In contrast with the early church, today we have an exhaustive institution, but the discipleship criteria are so low that we don’t even call it discipleship, but membership. As such, it is understood as a lifetime involvement or a paid subscriptions kind of participation despite constant renewal of allegiance.
+
+We believe that every Christian must be a disciple following the Master. Subsequently, one should obey His command to make other disciples. A disciple should become a leader, influencing another in the disciple-making process. Jesus called us not only to be His disciples but also to make disciples. This should be obvious, because it is not possible to be a true disciple of Jesus without making disciples. This is not optional, and at the same time it should be understood, not as a duty, but as a privilege.
+
+The Great Commission is our mission (Matthew 28:18-20). Our call is to make disciples. The disciple’s goal is to form new disciples. This is the process of discipleship, in which the spirituality is developed by a personal relationship. This course of action is more effective in groups. They can promote diversity, recognizing people’s differences. This can strengthen the group, providing “an environment in which people can learn and grow as they work and share together.”<sup>1</sup>
+
+The disciple is an equipper whose heart has been wonderfully and meticulously shaped by God as a magnificent piece of work, a real masterpiece. “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart” (Proverbs 27:19, NIV).
+
+The mission of the church is to announce salvation through Jesus Christ, because “there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NIV). The testimony of the disciples was so powerful that the people “realized that they had been with Jesus” (verse 13, NKJV). Likewise, In order to fulfill the goal of witness for Jesus, the primary function of the church is to train their members how to spend time with Jesus and share this good news of salvation with others in order to reach out to the world and call in new disciples for Jesus. “Every church should be a training school for Christian workers.”<sup>2</sup>
+
+The lifelong task of ministry or service is the real objective of life. “Christ’s followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true objective of life is ministry.”<sup>3</sup> The multifaceted process of making disciples has to be developed in a close relationship between the Master and the disciple. As with disciples of Jesus, the starting point of this process is spending time with the Master and being transformed by Him. Only after this personal experience, can we be equipped to witness for Him. In the equipping course of action the equipper becomes able to equip, the disciple becomes a disciple maker. Jesus operates in His follower, equipping him or her to become a disciple. Jesus operates through His disciples, as they become equipped disciples making more disciples. “The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.”<sup>4</sup>
+
+The task at hand is intrinsic and yet, at the same time, very intricate. The question would be “Do you have in your local church a disciple-making process to reach out, assimilate, equip, and send disciples?” If you do, the follow-up questions would be “Is it working? And how do you know it is working?”
+
+### Nurturing
+
+The 2015-2020 Seventh-day Adventist Church Strategic Plan—Reach the World—reflects several strategic issues related to the need of strengthening pastoral care, spiritual growth, and discipleship. Many local churches lack robust mechanisms for member care, especially for those who are at risk of leaving the church. Local churches need pastors to equip elders and members collectively to provide pastoral care for each other. Discipleship programs should be greatly strengthened, with baptism being the beginning of a life as a fruitful disciple of Jesus Christ. A baptismal certificate must be understood as a birth certificate, not as a graduation diploma. In recent years research has shown that among those who left, 40 percent said nobody contacted them; only 9 percent reported they were visited by the pastor, and 17 percent by a local elder. Some of them may have forgotten any attempt to be reached, or they were trying to blame others for their decision. However, it is crucial to reconsider the importance of pastoral care.
+
+The pastoral role in the context of Ephesians 4 is to equip the saints for their ministry. Paul presents the pastor, not as a performer of ministry, but as a trainer of ministers.<sup>5</sup> This gives the idea of the pastor as a rancher, rather than a shepherd. The main difference between the shepherd and the rancher is “who takes care of the sheep. The shepherd must do it personally; the rancher delegates the pastoral care to others.”<sup>6</sup> There are three prominent symbols of the shepherd mode: home visitation, hospital visitation, and personal counseling. The church people should be taught not to expect to get all of that from the pastor and still appreciate his or her leadership. They should be taught that the pastor is ultimately responsible for seeing to the excellent care that they are receiving by a pastoral-care team. The members of the church should receive highquality pastoral care, but not necessarily directly from the pastor.
+
+### Reclaiming
+
+In Luke 15 Jesus stressed the need to care for the lost. When 1 percent of the flock is lost, the Good Shepherd searches tirelessly and relentlessly until the sheep is found (Luke 15:1-7). In the parable the shepherd goes out to search for one sheep—the very least that can be numbered. “So if there had been but one lost soul, Christ would have died for that one.”<sup>7</sup> As a church, we have a challenge—we need to improve our efforts in caring and nurturing our members into a discipleship path.
+
+In one of his speeches, Martin Luther King, Jr., said that “if a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.” Jesus Christ came to this world with a mission, “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10, NIV). He sacrificed for us by dying on the cross; we sacrifice by living a life of self-denying service for Him.
+
+Many times I have heard church leaders saying, “We are planning to have evangelism during the summer.” Those kind of statements have troubled me. If the Christian church business and the main goal of the Great Commission is to win souls by making disciples, how can we dedicate just a part of the year to the activity that supposed to be our main pursuit? If you mean by that expression to hold evangelistic meetings for reaping, then it could be acceptable.
+
+The New Testament church could not even imagine a Christian who was not involved in ministry. “It was impossible for New Testament believers not to be involved in meaningful ministry in harmony with their spiritual gifts. In fact, the whole context of Romans 12 is a discussion of spiritual gifts. The involvement of every member in ministry in harmony with their spiritual gifts was the norm for the first-century church, and this likewise must become the norm of God’s last-day church.”<sup>8</sup> “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, NIV).
+
+In this volume you have had the opportunity to review some of the most important presentations presented during the 2019 General Conference Nurture and Retention Summit. As we reflect on these topics, we hope you will be challenged to reconsider your priorities, to strength your discipleship processes, and to mobilize your church for service and mission.
+
+**Endnotes:**
+
+<sup>1</sup> C. William Pollard, in F. Hesselbein, M. Goldsmith, and R. Beckhard, _The Leader of the Future_ (New York: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996), p. 246.
+
+<sup>2</sup> Ellen G. White, _Christian Service_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn.,1925), p. 59.
+
+<sup>3</sup> Ellen G. White, _Christ’s Object Lessons_ (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1900, 1941), p. 326.
+
+<sup>4</sup> Ellen G. White, _The Acts of Apostles_ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 9.
+
+<sup>5</sup> Russell Burrill, _Revolution in the Church_ (Fallbrook, Calif.: Hart Research Center, 1993), p. 47.
+
+<sup>6</sup> C. Peter Wagner, _Strategies for Church Growth_ (Ventura, Calif.: Regal Books, 1989), p. 134.
+
+<sup>7</sup> E. G. White, _Christ’s Object Lessons_, p. 187.
+
+<sup>8</sup> Burrill, pp. 25, 26.
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+title: Discipling, Nurturing, and Reclaiming
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+---
+title: Appendix A
+---
+
+### 2013 Nurture and Retention Recommendations
+
+1\. The GC to have a dedicated Associate Secretary whose responsibilities are to monitor implementation of the global church strategic plan in general and in particular to monitor progress in the area of nurture, retention, discipleship, and reclamation; this Assoc. Secretary to be secretary of the GC Nurture & Retention Committee.
+
+_This recommendation has been partially implemented_
+
+2\. Each division and union to have a designated N&R coordinator and an N&R committee chaired by one of the officers and including the following departmental directors: Children’s Ministries, Education, Family Ministries, Ministerial, Sabbath School & Personal Ministries, Women’s Ministries and Youth Ministries.
+
+Effectively four recommendations:
+
+2a. Each division to have a designated Nurture & Retention coordinator
+
+_Successfully implemented_
+
+2b. Each division to have a Nurture & Retention Committee chaired by one of the officers and with departmental representation
+
+_Uncertain: probably only partially implemented_
+
+2c. Each union to have a designated Nurture & Retention coordinator
+
+_No data: anecdotally this has been implemented by a few unions, but it mostly remains unimplemented_
+
+2d. Each union to have a Nurture & Retention Committee
+
+_No data: it’s possible this has not been implemented by any union; certainly, by very few_
+
+3\. Each division to have an overall plan to improve the audited membership retention rate by x percent, the percentage to be selected by each division and then communicated to the General Conference.
+
+_No data: possibly not implemented by any division_
+
+4\. Each division and union to have and implement an active discipleship plan, along the lines of the “Growing Fruitful Disciples” model.
+
+_Adopted as a KPI of the Reach the World 2015–2020 plan Unachieved. At the division level, implementation uncertain; there has been limited implementation at the union level, but no data are available_
+
+5\. General Conference Departments, in collaboration with one another and consultation with division leaders, to create materials that meet expressed needs in the areas of nurture, retention and discipling, avoiding multiplicity of initiatives and approaches.
+
+_Adopted as a KPI of the Reach the World 2015–2020 plan No data on implementation_
+
+6\. Each division to hold conferences on nurture, retention and discipling: one involving administrators and academics (along the lines of the global summit), then further conferences sharing data and good practice with pastors and elders.
+
+_Adopted as a KPI of the Reach the World 2015–2020 plan Some progress towards implementation: IAD, NSD, SSD, and TED held division-wide conferences—NSD annually; unions in IAD and TED (and perhaps elsewhere) have held conferences for pastors_
+
+7\. Comprehensive, widespread and practical training in conflict resolution and reconciliation to be implemented throughout the worldwide Church.
+
+_Adopted as a KPI of the Reach the World 2015–2020 plan No data on implementation; anecdotally: very few unions; possibly none_
+
+8\. Approved membership software to be used in all fields to improve records of local church membership.
+
+_Adopted as a KPI of the Reach the World 2015–2020 plan— but as “Widespread adoption of membership software” KPI achieved. Summit recommendation not yet achieved, but implementation taking place, gradually, throughout the world field_
+
+9\. Specific training in nurture, retention and discipling to be part of all ministerial and theological education programs.
+
+_No data; implemented by a few colleges on an ad hoc basis_
+
+10\. A new section to be added to the Church Manual on discipleship at the local church level (and the Minister’s Manual and Elder’s Handbook subsequently to be amended appropriately).
+
+_Successfully implemented! (Voted at 2015 GC Session)_
+
+### Conclusions
+
+Whatever recommendations are made by the 2019 Summit, they should include a reporting mechanism. As for many of the recommendations/goals, little or no data are available on implementation; but this reflects the fact that no reporting mechanism or responsibility was established.
+
+_This review was presented at the 2019 Nurture and Retention Summit by Anthony Kent and David Trim with an analysis of what had been implemented._
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+title: Appendix A
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diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/02-appendix-b/01.md b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/02-appendix-b/01.md
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+---
+title: Appendix B
+---
+
+### 2019 Nurture and Retention Summit Recommendations
+
+We have been called by Christ to fulfill the Great Commission to make, not merely members, but disciples. With this goal in view, local churches should aim to create a warm and caring environment for spiritual growth, in which youth, adults, and visitors feel loved and supported. All ministries of the church must be united together in the mission of making mature and faithful disciples. A healthy church develops a nurture plan with respect to the cultural context. This plan includes equipping every member to be active and personally involved in disciple making using his or her talents and spititual gifts. Plans for nurturing and training disciples may also include networks and small groups that provide opportunities for members to grow in Christ, serve people, and express their faith through various skills and interests.
+
+### Recommendations For The Local Church
+
+**1. Implement a systematic process of discipleship with clear and practical steps:**
+
+- Prepare new Adventist believers before baptism and integrate them into church life
+
+_(train new Adventist believers through baptismal classes, Bible studies; involve them into church life through small groups, Pathfinder, Youth Alive activities, prayer, social and other meetings; Adventist Recovery programs, iCOR and other programs and ministries)_
+
+- Integrate new members into church life and ministries
+
+_(invite new disciples to church events and programs outside of Sabbath worship; involve them in prayer, small groups, Pathfinder, Youth activities, Alive and other meetings, etc.; recognize individual skills and spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit; help people find ways to express their faith through different services to community and ministries in the church; help each one become a part of a ministry team or small group)_
+
+- Develop spiritual habits
+
+_(train and mentor members on how to develop spiritual habits, including personal devotions, regular prayer life, personal Bible study and Sabbath School lessons, reading Ellen White’s writings, faithful tithing, Sabbath School and church worship attendance, etc.)_
+
+- Foster growth in biblical & doctrinal understandings
+
+_(conduct special series on Adventist doctrines, prophecy seminars; provide tools for personal Bible studies as In Step with Jesus and others; involve members in small groups and evangelistic events to deepen their biblical/doctrinal knowledge and witnessing skills; etc.)_
+
+- Train and involve new converts in personal witnessing and mentoring others:
+
+_(train members in soul-winning and mentoring; involve them in different evangelistic initiatives; provide a practical tool to aid them in mentoring all new members, e.g., _Discipleship Handbook_ or similar tools)_
+
+**2. Create a warm and nurturing atmosphere in the congregation:**
+
+- Encourage members to be kind and welcoming, and to take an interest in others
+
+_(train members how to demonstrate friendliness, acceptance, sensitivity, interest in visitors, and conflict resolution; set up a welcoming ministry with all ages involved; etc.)_
+
+- Create small groups and train/equip elders, Sabbath School leaders, and church members in mutual nurture and care in small groups
+
+- Establish a culture of hospitality and member care
+
+_(identify and assign gifted members and leaders to connect with visitors and include them in service projects based on their comfort level and interest; invite members to adopt a visitor, neighbor, co-worker and regularly invite them into their homes for fellowship; have a visitation plan—each member/family visited with once a year; ministry to homebound members; etc.)_
+
+- Develop active social and prayer ministries
+
+_(create a prayer list for church needs; have an active social calendar; etc.)_
+
+- Move congregation toward being a missional community
+
+_(build relationships with and provide services to the community outside the church, create comfortable environments for members’ witnessing and services)_
+
+**3. Develop and implement a strategy of reclaiming former and inactive members:**
+
+- Regular membership audit process and plan
+
+_(Develop and implement a system for the periodic review of the church membership list to identify those who may require transfer due to moving away, removal due to death, or redemptive ministry due to no longer attending or supporting the church etc.)_
+
+- Former and inactive member ministry plan
+
+_(Identify and assign gifted members and leaders to connect with former and inactive members by using a step-by-step process based on building strong relationships, implementing a visitation plan, and holding reclamation events such as music concerts, holiday programs, reunion or homecoming day, etc.)_
+
+**4. Monitor and evaluate discipleship, nurture, and reclamation efforts:**
+
+- Utilize an assessment and planning tool to identify and develop key ministries
+
+_(Assess the strength of your church’s ministry in each area listed in the above recommendations by using the provided sample or a similar instrument)_
+
+- Utilize an evaluation tool to periodically review disciplemaking effectiveness
+
+_(Beyond merely tracking baptisms and attendance, assess the effectiveness of your congregation’s discipleship plan: by examining spiritual growth, especially of those recently baptized, and their involvement in different aspects of Christian life.)_
+
+### Recommendations for Administration
+
+1. The GC to have a dedicated Associate Secretary whose responsibilities are to monitor progress, especially achievement of goals in the area of nurture, retention, discipleship and reclamation; this Associate Secretary to be secretary of the GC Nurture & Retention Committee.
+
+2. A new section to be added to the Church Manual on the following:
+
+- Conducting periodical/annual membership audit from a redemptive/pastoral care perspective
+- The need for local churches to craft and implement a customized strategy to move the congregation towards being a missional community that builds relationships with one another and with the community in order to create comfortable environments wherein they can—through service— share their faith and their testimonies of God’s love and grace.
+- Intentional mentoring of young people and newly baptized.
+- Training in conflict resolution and reconciliation to be implemented in the local church.
+
+3. Clarify the meaning of evangelism and discipleship in the Church Board section of the Church Manual.
+
+4. Add to the Sabbath School section of the Church Manual regarding the vital role of Sabbath School in discipleship.
+
+5. Each division to have an active discipleship plan, tailored to their local context and drawing on resources prepared by GC and division departments.
+
+6. Each union to actively encourage the adoption by their local churches of a clear strategy on how they are going to nurture and train their disciples and reclaim missing members.
+
+7. Adventist Church leaders and educational institution leaders to establish initiatives to increase the availability of Adventist education to children and youth, given the relationship between attendance at an Adventist school and retention of youth in the Church.
+
+8. Specific training in nurture, retention and discipling to be foundational of all ministerial and theological education programs.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/02-appendix-b/info.yml b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/02-appendix-b/info.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..64887e1a4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/02-appendix-b/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Appendix B
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/03-appendix-c/01.md b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/03-appendix-c/01.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e59f6577cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/03-appendix-c/01.md
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+---
+title: Appendix C
+---
+
+### Sample Survey For The Local Church
+
+#### Self-assessment of the Implementation of the 2019 Summit Recommendations
+
+1\. Does your congregation have an active ◯ Yes ◯ Not sure ◯ No discipleship plan?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+2\. Does your church have a thorough baptismal ◯ Yes ◯ Not sure ◯ No preparation process for new converts?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+3\. Which of the following options is more common for your church in preparation of new converts for baptism?
+
+- [ ] Baptismal preparation studies (class or personal
+- [ ] Evangelistic meetings
+- [ ] Other (please specify)
+
+4\. Does your church have a small-group network to nurture members and promote wholistic spiritual care?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+5\. How does your church integrate new converts into church life and ministries?
+
+` `
+
+6\. Does your church provide intentional training for new members in the following areas?
+
+- Development of spiritual habits (e.g., personal devotions, regular prayer life, faithful tithing, church attendance, etc.?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Personal witnessing and soul-winning
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Mentoring others
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- How to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the church
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Conflict resolution
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+7\. Do you have in your church:
+
+- Welcoming ministry?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Hospitality ministry?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Member visitation/personal contact plan (each member/family visited or met with once a year)?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Regular prayer ministry?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Regular membership audit?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Former and inactive member ministry plan?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+8\. In your church, do you have an evaluation tool to monitor the effectiveness of your:
+
+- Discipleship plan?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Nurture and welcoming atmosphere?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
+
+- Reclamation efforts?
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] Not sure
+- [ ] No
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/03-appendix-c/info.yml b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/03-appendix-c/info.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9f3d40a671
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/03-appendix-c/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Appendix C
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/info.yml b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/info.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..38e53c1b33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/29-appendices/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Appendix
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/section.yml b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/section.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6faceea839
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/content/section.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+title: Content
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/info.yml b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/info.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ebe650d553
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/info.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+title: Discipling, Nurturing, and Reclaiming
+kind: book
+subtitle: Nurture and Retention Summit
+primaryColor: '#9B9B9B'
+primaryColorDark: '#696969'
+author: sspm
+credits:
+  - name: Copyright
+    value: >-
+      Copyright © 2020 by the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day
+      Adventists® All rights reserved
+  - name: Editors
+    value: >-
+      Geoffrey G Mbwana, Gerson P Santos, Rachel Bustamante, Torben Bergland,
+      Gary T Blanchard, Marcos F Bomfim, Ramon J Canals, Cheryl Doss, Sherri
+      Ingram-Hudgins, Anthony R Kent, Linda Mei Lin Koh, Gary D Krause, Elbert
+      Kuhn, Duane McKey, Willie Oliver, Karen J Porter, Heather- Dawn K Small,
+      David Trim, James M Howard, Galina Stele
+  - name: ISBN
+    value: 978-0-8280-2871-4
+covers:
+  landscape: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/assets/cover-landscape.png
+  square: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/assets/cover-square.png
+  portrait: >-
+    https://sabbath-school-resources-assets.adventech.io/en/pm/discipling-nurturing-retention/assets/cover.png
diff --git a/src/en/pm/feed.yml b/src/en/pm/feed.yml
index ee99c17510..3e5c334812 100644
--- a/src/en/pm/feed.yml
+++ b/src/en/pm/feed.yml
@@ -17,4 +17,8 @@
     reverse: true
     view: folio
     resources:
-      - en-pm-keys-*
\ No newline at end of file
+      - en-pm-keys-*
+  - group: Other Resources
+    reverse: true
+    view: folio
+    scope: resource
\ No newline at end of file