Growing ⁱⁿ Christ

Introduction: Fundamental Beliefs

Everyone believes in something. Even those who claim to believe in nothing, or in nothing absolute, still believe in something (in this case, their relativism). Beliefs are important because they greatly impact how we live. For some Christians, however, more important than belief, or behavior, is belonging, a sense of community. Yet, community must be based on shared beliefs, shared goals, and common concerns.

For Seventh-day Adventists-people from almost every conceivable manifestation of humanity - what holds us together as a community are our "fundamental beliefs," all 28, which are foundational for growing in Christ and living as a community of faith in the light of eternity.

Some argue that what matters is our love of Christ, not doctrine. This sounds nice, but the Bible never separates a love for Christ from a love for the truth. We are told that by "speaking the truth in love," we may grow into Christ (Eph. 4:15, 16). Knowing doctrine is not mere accumulation of correct data; rather, knowing doctrine results in love for God (2 John 6-10). Furthermore, the Bible is concerned about "sound doctrine" because, among other things, it affects the ethical life (1 Tim. 1:9, 10; Titus 2:1-5).

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a statement of 28 fundamental beliefs. These are not a creed, in the sense that one could not expect any further development of the truths expressed in them (or that even more teachings could be added). And though we must always be open to more light, a firm consensus on these beliefs is crucial to the unity and mission of the church. What has brought together millions of people from all over the world into a unified movement other than our shared doctrines?

Companion book to this quarter's lessons available from the Adventist Book Center online. (Click on image)

Within the great controversy motif, and directly related to it, salvation in Christ is the thread that runs through all our doctrines. The great controversy, and the issues it has generated, sets the stage for the plan of redemption, which underlies and permeates all 28 of our fundamental beliefs.

Doctrines, then, are not an end in and of themselves. They are a means to an end, and that end is Jesus and knowing Jesus for ourselves and growing in Him. Or, more subjectively, all 28 of our doctrines should lead us to a deeper understanding of what Jesus has done for us through the plan of salvation, which, in turn, should lead us to a deeper love of God and a life more committed to the revealing of that love to the world and to "principalities and powers in heavenly places" (Eph 3:10).

Yes, everyone believes in something. The goal of the quarter is to help us to not just believe in Truth (John 14:6), but to love Him even more and to grow in His grace.

Kwabena Donkor, native of Ghana, is an associate director of the Biblical Research Institute at the General Conference headquarters, in Silver Spring, Maryland.

This Quarter's Study Contents

Note: Both versions of our lessons display nicely on a small screen. Our "Mobile" version uses BibleGateway, which works better for some mobile devices. On the other hand, the main version, using Reftagger from Biblia.com works better for other mobile devices. So experiment and take your pick. (We'd also be really interested in what works best for you. Write to us through our "Contact" link and be sure to tell us with what device you are accessing our lessons.)

	Lesson	References	Mobile
1	The Great Controversy: The Foundation • Sep 29 - Oct 5
2	Revelation, and the God Revealed in It • October 6 - 12
3	Man: God's Handiwork • October 13 - 19
4	Salvation: The Only Solution • October 20 - 26
5	Growing in Christ • October 27 - November 2
6	Victory Over Evil Forces • November 3 - 9
7	'Arming' for Victory • November 10 - 16
8	The Church: In Service to Humanity • November 17 - 23
9	The Church: Rites and Rituals • November 24 - 30
10	The Law and the Gospel • December 1 - 7
11	The Christian Life • December 8 - 14
12	Last Things: Jesus and the Saved • December 15 - 21
13	When All Things Become New • December 22 - 28

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The Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide is prepared by the Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the guides is under the general direction of the Sabbath School Publications Board, a subcommittee of the General Conference Administrative Committee (ADCOM), publisher of the Bible study guides. The published guide reflects the input of worldwide evaluation committees and the approval of the Sabbath School Publications Board and thus does not solely or necessarily represent the intent of the author(s). 

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Sabbath School Study References

The Study References (formerly called "Helps") include all related Scripture and most EGW quotations. The "New King James Version" of the Bible is used with permission.  The related Study References are linked from each lesson and a link to the whole quarter's Helps is provided on this page.

Teacher Resources

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