Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 16:19–31, Luke 23:43,

John 20:17, Phil. 1:21–24, 1 Pet. 3:13–20, Rev. 6:9–11.

Memory Text: “ ‘You search the Scriptures for in them you think

you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me’ ” (John

5:39, NKJV).

Peter warns us: “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone

who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15,

NKJV). Paul adds, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out

of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teach-

ing. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine”

(2 Tim. 4:2, 3, NKJV). This being the case, we should look not only at

those passages that easily can be explained to fit our beliefs but also

at passages that are commonly used to teach something different from

what we believe.

As we do, we should follow the inspiring example of Jesus. “Christ

Himself did not suppress one word of truth, but He spoke it always in

love. . . . He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word,

never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human

weakness.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 353.

This week we will study some intriguing passages that people use

to justify the natural immortality of the soul. These reflections should

strengthen our own convictions and help us to answer kindly those who

question this crucial teaching.