“Step to Christ Guide Question”

LESSON ONE PAGES 9-36 "God's Love for Man"

1. What two important sources testify of God's love? What does each say to us? (9, 10)
The important sources that testify to God’s love are nature and revelation. These things signify
that God supplies to us to all creatures on Earth our daily needs which testify to his love for us
and gives us joy.
2. Even though transgression of God's law has brought woe and death, what might we learn
from the curse? (9, 10)
We learn from the curse that the law of love specifically God’s love for us is written in the
world, especially nature. The nature we see daily signifies that life is not all about misery and
death but also about hope and comfort which illustrate that God cares for His children and loves
us.
3. How has Satan tried to misrepresent God to sinners? (10, 11)
Satan has misrepresented God to sinners as a severe and unforgiving judge and He has a jealous
eye that only discerns the errors and mistakes of men that may judge them upon this someday.
Thus, it causes the sinners to look at Him with fear.
4. When Jesus came to live among men, how did He represent God? (11)
Since Jesus is part of the Godhead and they are all united, He represented God by showing
Himself to us and saying that he who sees Him also sees the Father. And He also represented
Himself doing good things to others and preaching about God’s grace.
5. Jesus' work was to "preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, preach
deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberation them that are
bruised." (11)
6. Why did Jesus take man's nature? (12)
Jesus took on man's nature to reveal God's character of love, compassion, and tenderness. In His
life, He spoke the truth with love, exercised tact, and showed thoughtful attention. His self-denial
and care for others reflected a divine mission to save fallen souls, embodying the character of
God manifested in the flesh.
7. Why do you think little children were attracted to Jesus? (12)
Little children were attracted to Jesus because He spoke the truth with love, exercised tact and
kindness, and showed thoughtful attention. His words were never needlessly severe, and He wept
over those who rejected Him. Jesus lived a life of self-denial, caring for others, and saw every
soul as precious. His character, revealing divine compassion, drew people, including children, to
Him.
8. Describe how Jesus corrected or rebuked sin. (12)
Jesus corrected sin with truth spoken in love. He exercised tact and kindness, never being rude or
needlessly severe. While denouncing hypocrisy and iniquity, tears accompanied His scathing
rebukes. He wept over those who rejected Him, showing pitying tenderness. His life reflected
self-denial and care for others, valuing every soul. Christ's character, revealed in His life, mirrors
the compassion flowing from the Father's heart.
9. For what reason did Jesus become a "Man of Sorrows"? (13)
Jesus became a "Man of Sorrows" to redeem humanity from sin. He lived, suffered, and died to
bear the burden of sin and bridge the gap between God and humanity. This sacrifice was not to
make God love us but to demonstrate His existing love. The Father loves us, and Christ served as
the means for God to pour out His infinite love on a fallen world. The suffering of Jesus in
Gethsemane and on the cross was the price paid by Infinite Love for our redemption.
10. What really broke the heart of the Son of God? (13)
The Son of God's heart was broken by the burden of sin and the separation it caused between
God and man. Jesus lived, suffered, and died to redeem us, experiencing shame, insult,
humiliation, hatred, and death. The sacrifice was not to make God love us but to express His
existing love. The Father loves us, and Christ served as the medium for God to pour out His
infinite love upon a fallen world, reconciling humanity to Himself through the sacrifice of Jesus.
11. How are God's love for man and the sacrifice provided really connected? (13)
The passage explains that God's love for humanity and the sacrifice of Jesus are deeply
connected. Jesus' life, suffering, and death were to redeem humanity, allowing them to partake in
everlasting joy. God's love for us existed prior to the sacrifice; He provided the propitiation
(Jesus) because of His love. The Father's love is not a result of the sacrifice but the reason for it.
The sacrifice was the means through which God poured out His infinite love to reconcile the
world to Himself. The agony of Gethsemane and the death on Calvary demonstrate the heart of
Infinite Love paying the price for humanity's redemption.
12. Why was Jesus the only possible sacrifice for sin? (14)
Jesus was the only possible sacrifice for sin because, as stated in the passage, only the Son of
God could accomplish our redemption. Jesus, being in the bosom of the Father, could fully
declare Him and manifest the depth of God's love. The infinite sacrifice made by Christ was
necessary to express the Father's love to humanity. Through Christ's identification with the
interests and needs of humanity, His role as Sacrifice, Advocate, and Brother, only He could
uplift humanity from the ruin of sin and enable them to reflect God's love and share in the joy of
holiness.
13. Beyond His sacrifice for sinners, how has Jesus connected Himself to the human race? (14)
Jesus, beyond sacrificing for sinners, connected with humanity by laying down His life as our
Substitute. He expressed the Father's love, enabling God to be just and the Justifier of believers.
Only the Son, intimately acquainted with God's love, accomplished our redemption, identifying
Himself with humanity as our Sacrifice, Advocate, and Brother. Jesus, eternally connected with
the redeemed, uplifts us from sin, allowing us to reflect God's love and share in the joy of
holiness.
14. What has Christ done for us beyond the pardon of sins? (15)
Beyond the pardon of sins, Christ's sacrifice elevates humanity, allowing those who have faith in
Him to become "sons of God." This unparalleled love, expressed through the cross, brings a
profound meditation on the divine character—mercy, tenderness, forgiveness, equity, and justice.
The love revealed is infinite, surpassing even a mother's yearning sympathy for her wayward
child.
"The Sinner's Need of Christ"
15. How has sin affected man's mind? (17)
Sin has distorted man's originally noble and well-balanced mind. Through disobedience,
selfishness replaced love, weakening his nature and making him captive to Satan. In his sinless
state, man joyfully communed with God, but sin severed that connection, rendering the
unrenewed heart incompatible with God. The sinner, unable to find joy in holiness, would be
unhappy in God's presence and unfit for heaven's companionship. It's not an arbitrary decree, but
the sinner's own unfitness that excludes them from heaven. The glory of God would be a
consuming fire to them, and they would welcome destruction to be hidden from His face.
16. Describe the condition of the unrenewed heart. (17)
The unrenewed heart, once endowed with noble powers, became perverted through disobedience.
Selfishness replaced love, and sin weakened man's nature. In this state, the heart is not in
harmony with God, finding no joy in communion with Him. The unrenewed soul, like Adam
after sin, would be unhappy in God's presence and incompatible with the spirit of unselfish love
in heaven. Exclusion from heaven is not arbitrary but a result of their own unfitness for its
companionship. The glory of God would be a consuming fire to the unrenewed heart.
17. What would heaven be like to an unrepentant sinner? (17, 18)
To an unrepentant sinner, heaven would be a place of torture. Their nature, corrupted by sin, is
not in harmony with God, and they find no joy in communion with Him. The spirit of unselfish
love in heaven would be alien to their thoughts and motives. The glory of God would be a
consuming fire, and they would long to be hidden from His presence. Heaven would bring no
joy, as they are shut out by their own unfitness for its companionship.
18. Why are education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, not adequate to bring a
person to holiness? (18)
Education, culture, the exercise of the will, and human effort are insufficient for holiness
because, on our own, we cannot escape the pit of sin or change our evil hearts. These efforts may
lead to outward correctness but cannot purify the springs of life. True change requires a power
from within, a new life from above, and only Christ's grace can quicken the soul and attract it to
holiness. The necessity of being born again and receiving a new heart is emphasized by Jesus, as
natural efforts alone are insufficient to comprehend the things of the Spirit of God. Christ, in
whom is life, is the only means of salvation.
19. True or False. To develop the good that exists in man by nature is all that is necessary to be
saved. (18, 19)
False. Developing the good in man by nature is insufficient for salvation. It requires a power
from within, a new life from above, and the grace of Christ to transform the heart and lead to
holiness. Without being born again and receiving a new heart and life from Christ, it is
impossible to see the kingdom of God.
20. Why is it not enough to know about God? Give Scripture support for your answer. (19)
It is not enough to know about God's loving-kindness and the wisdom of His law. The Apostle
Paul acknowledged the goodness of the law but recognized his own inability to attain
righteousness. The cry for deliverance has echoed throughout history, and the answer is found in
"the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
21. What does the ladder in Jacob's dream represent? (20) Note also the New Testament
application.
The ladder in Jacob's dream represents a connection between heaven and earth. In the New
Testament, Jesus identifies Himself as the ultimate link between heaven and earth, the mediator
between God and humanity (John 1:51).
22. Make a list of the agencies enlisted in man's behalf to save him. (21)
1. The Saviour's life, death, and intercession
2. The ministry of angels
3. The pleading of the Spirit
4. The Father working above and through all
5. The unceasing interest of heavenly beings
23. What means does God use to warn us against the service of Satan? (21, 22)
God uses various means to warn against the service of Satan. The passage emphasizes that the
only true way to God is through Christ, who is the source of every good gift. The love of God,
the sacrifice of Jesus, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, and the warnings of
judgment and retribution are all employed to reclaim humanity and discourage allegiance to
Satan.
"Repentance"
24. Define repentance. (23)
Repentance, as described in the passage, involves sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. It
includes recognizing the sinfulness of one's actions and making a heartfelt decision to change
and forsake sin.
25. What was wrong with the repentance of Esau and Judas? (23, 24)
The repentance of Esau and Judas lacked genuine sorrow for sin and a true turning away from it.
Repentance requires recognizing the sinfulness of one's actions and a heartfelt turning away from
sin, which was absent in their cases.
26. When the heart is opened to God's Spirit, how is the sinner affected? (24)
When the heart is opened to God's Spirit, the sinner is affected by a quickened conscience and a
discernment of the depth and sacredness of God's holy law. The illumination of the soul reveals
hidden sins, and conviction takes hold, leading the sinner to feel the righteousness of God and
the terror of appearing in guilt before the Searcher of hearts. This experience creates a longing
for cleansing and restoration to communion with Heaven.
27. When David repented, what several things did he pray for? (25)
When David repented, he prayed for:
1. Forgiveness of his transgressions and the covering of his sin.
2. God's mercy and the blotting out of his transgressions.
3. Acknowledgment of his sins and cleansing from iniquity.
4. A clean heart and a renewed spirit.
5. God's presence and the preservation of the Holy Spirit.
6. Restoration of the joy of salvation.
28. Which comes first--repentance or coming to Jesus? (26)
Coming to Jesus comes first. The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before coming
to Christ. The virtue that leads to genuine repentance is the influence that goes forth from Christ.
Repentance is a result of the Spirit of Christ awakening the conscience, and it is in His presence
that forgiveness of sins is found (Matthew 11:28; Acts 5:31).
29. Finish the sentence--"We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the
conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ. " (26)
30. Is it possible to become ashamed of sin without a knowledge of Christ? Be prepared to
discuss your answer. (27)
Yes, it is possible to become ashamed of sin without a knowledge of Christ. When individuals
sincerely desire to reform and do what is right, the power of Christ is at work, drawing them
even before they are conscious of it. The influence works on the soul, quickens the conscience,
and amends the outward life. As Christ draws them to contemplate His cross, the commandment
comes home to the conscience, revealing the wickedness of their life. They begin to grasp the
righteousness of Christ and question the necessity of such a sacrifice for their redemption.
Eventually, a knowledge of the plan of salvation may lead them to repentance at the foot of the
cross.
31. What will happen to the sinner who does not resist the love of Christ? (27)
If the sinner does not resist the love of Christ, they will be drawn to Jesus. The power of Christ
works on their soul, quickening the conscience and amending the outward life. As Christ draws
them to the cross, the commandment pierces their conscience, revealing the wickedness of their
life. A knowledge of the plan of salvation leads them to repentance at the foot of the cross,
acknowledging their sins that caused the sufferings of God's Son.
32. Thought question: Have I found in Christ the answer to my craving for something I do not
have? If not, why not? (28)

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

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

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

36. How would you answer the person who suggests that God is too good to destroy sinners?
(31, 32)
37. What answer would you give to someone who says, "I am as good as professed Christians?"
(32)

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

39. How will neglect or rejection of the grace of Christ affect the sinner? (33, 34) 40. What
encouragement is offered to those who are tempted to despair regarding their sins? (35, 36)

LESSON TWO PAGES 37-56 "Confession"

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

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

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

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

5. Finish the following sentence: "The only reason why we do not have remission of sins that are
past is ________________________________________________." (38)
6. Confession: How should it be done? How should it not be done? (38)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. Summarize: A. Satan's representation of God's government: (43) B. God's government as it
really is:

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

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

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

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

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

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

22. Discuss the statement: "God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best
interest to retain." (46)
23. Does God ask His children to save all joy and happiness for the future? How do you think the
Christian can be at peace even in adversity? (46, 47)
24. How do you understand the exercise of the power of choice, or the will? (47)

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

"Faith and Acceptance"

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

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

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

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

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

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

32. How is it possible for us to stand before God's law without shame or remorse? (51)
33. Why is it impossible for us to come to God on probation to prove ourselves? (52)

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

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

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

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

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

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

LESSON THREE PAGES 57-84 "The Test of Discipleship"

1. TRUE OR FALSE. In order to tell whether or not he is truly converted, a person should be
able to trace the circumstances and time of his conversion. (57)
2. How may it be known that the Spirit of God is working in a person's life? (57)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Against what two errors do new Christians need especially to guard against? (59, 60)
11. How do you think we can avoid either error? (59, 60)

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

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

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

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

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

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

18. The closer we come to Jesus, the more faulty we will appear. Rather than causing
discouragement, of what is this an evidence? (64, 65)
19. What should a sense of our sinfulness drive us to do? (65)

20. Give two illustrations from nature used in the Bible to describe birth as children of God. (67)
21. How is Christian growth illustrated from nature? (67)

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

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

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

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

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

27. "It is by ________________ Him, ________________ Him, ________________ wholly

upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His ________________." (71)

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

29. To what subjects will Satan seek to divert our attention? (71)
30. How only may the tie of love between Christ and humanity be broken? (72)

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

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

"The Work and the Life"

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

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

35. What was the "one great object" of Christ's life on earth? (78)

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

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

38. Why did God not permit the preaching of the gospel by angels? (79)
39. List some of the benefits to us of working for others. (80)

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

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

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

LESSON FOUR PAGES 85-104 "A Knowledge of God"

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

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

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

4. Why does the Christian have an advantage over the poet or the naturalist when studying
nature? (87)
5. What special lessons are to be learned from a study of the Bible characters? (87, 88)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The Privilege of Prayer"
15. Notice the repetition of four ways God speaks to us. (93)

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

17. Finish the sentence: "Prayer is

_______________________________________________________________." (93)

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

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

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

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

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

23. How does God sometimes answer our prayers when we ask for something that would not be
a blessing? (96)
24. How is presumption defined in connection with prayer? (96)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

32. How close are the relations between God and each soul? (100)
33. What can take away the subject matter and incentive for prayer? (101)

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

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

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

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

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

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

LESSON FIVE PAGES 105-126 "What to Do With Doubt"

1. What problem especially troubles those who are young in the Christian life? (105)
2. What three facts about God are established by reasonable testimony? (105)

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

4. Finish the sentence: "Our faith must rest upon

____________________________________________________________." (105) What do you
believe this means?

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

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

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

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

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

10. Why are there popular theories and doctrines that are supposed to come from the Bible, but
do not? (108, 109)
11. Why is it that created beings will never have a full understanding of God and His works?
(109)

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

13. Finish the sentence: "God desires man to exercise his

_____________________________________________________." (109)

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

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

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

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

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

19. When only may we be confident that we will have answers to all which has perplexed us?
(113)
"Rejoicing in the Lord"
20. What is meant? "In every one of His children, Jesus sends a letter to the world." (115)

21. How might we delight Satan? (116)

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

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

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

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

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

27. How may we unconsciously influence others for good or bad? (120)
28. Describe the life and character of Christ. (120)

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

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

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

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

33. Finish this sentence. "We should not allow the perplexities
________________________________________________________________." (122)

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

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

36. In the same sermon, what lessons did Christ give from the lilies? (124)
37. What are the characteristics of happiness sought from selfish motives? (124)

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

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

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

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