July 20 - The Word: The Foundation of Revival

A Sabbath School resource from the Victoria Conference of the Adventist Church in Australia

Study Guide:

Personal Revival and the Word
Do a life sketch of a few of the “heroes of faith” listed in Hebrews 11. Consider, particularly: Abraham, Moses and David. What were the high and low points of their faith journey? How did the Word of God play a role in their spiritual revivals? What impact did their decisions have on those around them?

Think back over the times in your life when you have experienced personal revival. When were your times of personal spiritual revival? At high points? Low points? What was the story behind your renewal of spiritual interest and activity? What role did the Word of God play in your times of personal spiritual reformation? What verses or stories were key in your journey? What impact did your personal revival have on those around you?

Corporate Revival and the Word
Spend some time reflecting on a few historical revivals. Explore and discuss the revivals involved in: The Reformation, The early church in Acts, the early Adventists, the NT/OT expected and revealed Messiah. Were they generated at high points or low points? How did the Word of God play a role? What impact did the decisions of the group have on those around them?

Think back over the times in your life when you have been part of corporate revival. When were these times? At high points? Low points? What was the story behind the corporate renewal of spiritual interest and activity? What role did the Word of God play in these revivals? What impact did your corporate revival have on those around you?

For Teachers: Discovering the Word again for the first time
In your preparation, read the following articles and take note of the personal excitement that builds within you as you explore new views of scripture. Each of these articles reveals a new way of seeing an old question. Depending on your experience with these topics, you may have already encountered both the old and new view. But, perhaps, one of the articles will invigorate you with a new view of the Word of God. Revival is an outflowing of this spiritual excitement into your life until it becomes action.

The Question of Suffering

Remembering Jesus

Four Gospel Beginnings

While these articles are too long for use in your discussion time, you may wish to recommend this exercise to your Sabbath School group. Distribute this study guide to them after your Sabbath School discussion. As a Sabbath School teacher, it is your distinct  privilege to encourage personal and corporate revival by helping your class see the Word again for the first time!