Connecting With Jesus—Study Guides

Instructional Manual
SOP Study Methods
Local Church SOP Study Procedures
Adventist Institutions SOP Study Procedures
Frequently Ask Questions

10 Spirit of Prophecy Books—Study Guides

1. Patriarchs and Prophets—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)		 6. Steps to Christ—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)
2. Prophets and Kings—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)		 7. Christian Service—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)
3. The Desire of Ages—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)		 8. Counsels for the Church—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)
4. The Acts of the Apostles—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)		 9. Counsels on Stewardship—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)
5. The Great Controversy—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)		 10. The Ministry of Healing—
        Study Guide (PDF Download)

We have made each Ellen G. White SOP book Study Guide available in English using Adobe Acrobat Reader—PDF. (Download the free PDF reader)

Instructional Manual

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been blessed by the gift of prophecy in the form of the Spirit of Prophecy books written by Ellen G. White. The gift of prophecy is promoted by the Bible (Joel 2:28, 29; 1 Cor. 12:10; Eph 4:11). Reading Spirit of Prophecy books will help to nurture our spiritual life, strengthen our relationship with Jesus, and deepen our trust in His written Word. In this way we will become more like Him in character and purpose, transforming lifestyle, and increasing our involvement with the life and mission of the Church through the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is the goal of the “Connecting with Jesus” initiative that all Adventist families have Spirit of Prophecy books in their homes and study them regularly as a supplement to their scriptural study.

The global distribution of Spirit of Prophecy books is urgently needed.

Methods of Study of the Spirit of Prophecy Books

Spirit of Prophecy books and study guides can be used in several ways:

  1. Daily personal devotion
  2. Midweek prayer meetings
  3. Small-groups
  4. Friday evening vespers
  5. Sabbath afternoon programs
  6. Online, through specific Web sites

Procedure for Studying the Spirit of Prophecy Books in the Local Church

  1. Every church needs a Spirit of Prophecy coordinator who will promote the global distribution of Spirit of Prophecy books to every family.
  2. The local church Spirit of Prophecy coordinator, with the support of the local church pastor, will present the plan of studying the Spirit of Prophecy books to the church board where it will be voted before being implemented in the congregation.
  3. The church board will establish a Spirit of Prophecy Council to implement the plan. The membership of the council will include the pastor, local church Spirit of Prophecy leaders, Personal Ministries leader and Sabbath School superintendent, and AY leader.
  4. In churches where there is an active small-group ministry, small-group leaders can lead the study of Spirit of Prophecy books in the small groups.
  5. In a church that does not have an active small-group ministry, the council needs to appoint leaders who will lead in Spirit of Prophecy study.
  6. Local church Spirit of Prophecy coordinators or the local church pastors can arrange special training sessions for small-group leaders regarding the study of Spirit of Prophecy books. Training can be given by the pastor, individuals experienced in small-group ministry, or conference/mission personnel.
  7. Training will include:
    1. Guidelines for starting small-group ministry
    2. Teaching methodology
    3. Small-group programming
  8. After all leaders have been trained, local pastors can present sermons on two or three consecutive Sabbaths about the role of the Spirit of Prophecy in the Adventist Church, and how Ellen G. White received divine revelation and inspiration from the Lord.
  9. Small groups for studying Ellen G. White books can be organized according to geographical locations of the members.
  10. Small-group leaders, Spirit of Prophecy coordinators, and pastors can meet weekly, then once a month, for evaluation and consultation so the process of study will accomplish the goal of studying the Spirit of Prophecy books.

Procedure for Studying the Spirit of Prophecy Books in Adventist Institutions

  1. The same procedure that is used for studying the Spirit of Prophecy in the local church can be applied to education, health, publishing, or other Seventh-day Adventist institutions.
  2. In schools the dean of students or student affairs and the college/school chaplain can initiate the formation of student and faculty small-groups for the study of Spirit of Prophecy. In the hospital setting, chaplains can coordinate small group meetings for physicians, nurses, and other hospital employees. The same method can be applied to other institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why do we study the Spirit of Prophecy books? Can we study something else?
    We can always study something else. However, we would like to emphasize study of the Spirit of Prophecy books that have been neglected for many years.
  2. I am a busy person. Can I study on my own instead of coming to a small group meeting which will take so much of my time?
    Of course you can study on your own. However, studying in a small group will be helpful because you can exchange ideas and learn from each other. We need to build a community in which we can support one another.
  3. Is it necessary to serve food at each meeting?
    Some group instructors feel that food is an important part of every meeting because eating allows for social interaction that may strengthen the group. However, experience has shown that small groups can be very successful without food. In fact, serving food sometimes has a negative side. Weekly preparation becomes a chore, and not everyone will be able to supply the same quality of food each week. There is a risk of hurting a group member’s feelings if food is brought that others might choose not to eat because of health reasons. It is appropriate, however, to have a potluck meal once a month where every group member can bring food.
  4. Should an offering be taken in a home-group meeting?
    The answer is no. It is very inexpensive to conduct a home meeting. However, if a few members do not have the Spirit of Prophecy books that are being studied, it is good to collect spontaneous donations to help those who can’t afford to purchase these precious books.
  5. What is the pastor’s role in small groups studying the Spirit of Prophecy books?
    The success of this plan depends on the pastor’s leadership and support. The pastor should provide the following leadership ingredients:
    1. Publicly share with his church his own convictions concerning the importance of small groups, the Bible, and the Spirit of Prophecy in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
    2. Give a sermon or series of sermons on the biblical basis of the Spirit of Prophecy and the importance of small group meetings for studying Spirit of Prophecy material.
    3. Provide training for small-group leaders on how to conduct small group study.
    4. Provide time in church each Sabbath for members to share study-group experiences. This will inspire others to become involved.
    5. The pastor should meet regularly with his small group leaders to:
      1. Pray with and for the group leaders
      2. Answer questions
      3. Allow leaders to share positive and negative experiences
      4. Provide an overview of the coming week’s study guide
      5. Discuss the lesson, and answer questions to help prepare the group leaders
      6. Provide additional resources for the group leaders to use in preparing their teaching materials.
    6. Keep accurate up-to-date records concerning the spiritual development of the members attending the group study sessions.
  6. What are a few basic small group principles that are essential for successful study of Spirit of Prophecy materials?
    Key Characteristics:
    1. There is no substitute for the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is essential that the leader provide personal time for his or her own spiritual growth and ensure that Jesus is the focus of the group’s activities.
    2. Unconditional love and acceptance are prerequisites for successful small-group study.
    3. An atmosphere of trust and acceptance from the very beginning will help to defuse any conflict or tension that may arise in the small group.
    4. Positive interaction between group members is essential.
    5. The group leader sets the tone and climate for the small group. The leader must be warm, genuine, empathetic, and alert to possible group problems.
    6. Affirmation of each group member is essential to the personal and spiritual growth of the individuals
    7. In addition to learning from the Spirit of Prophecy books, individuals need to talk about the impact of the material on their personal lives.