Couldn't find a thread on this. Is it okay to talk about this here? Could this section include all her books? Or could we make a section to discuss all her books?

I'm reading this for the first time now. My rationale for reading this was: this is a biography of Jesus. And if I'm going to worship and believe in Him, I should know all about Him, thus I should read His biography.

It is a wonderful book. Very deep and intense, but beautiful. I encourage others to read it if you haven't yet.

I think Desire of Ages is the most readable of all Ellen White's books, and the most important. Her telling of the story of Christ's life totally agrees with Scripture in all respects, and illuminates many of the experiences portrayed in the Biblical account.

Next to the Bible, The Desire of Ages is my most favorite book. I've read it over and over and refer to it often, like today when my husband and I were having our devotions. What we were reading referred to the Father saying, "This is My Beloved Son." Instantly I remembered the quote on page 113. "His love has encircled man, and reached the highest
heaven. The light which fell from the open portals upon the head of our Saviour will fall upon us as we pray for help to resist temptation. The voice which spoke to Jesus says to every believing soul, THIS IS MY BELOVED CHILD, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED." Praise the Lord!

Dottie

Hi, Sid, I see no reason why we cannot add "The Desire of Ages" to the present book that we are studying.

I am sorry that I have been the "absent moderator" for so long, but I have had continual problems with my internet connection. I think we have now found the problem -- I need a new modem. So I will be back on deck soon, I hope.

God bless.

Beryl

Hey thanks Beryl.

I was reading the chapter on Gethsemane. Such an intense scene. I thought it was so beautiful how the angel of God came down to comfort Jesus, pointing to heaven, holding Him, reassuring Him, his voice like the sweetest music. We're so lucky He made the decision that He did.

When I was younger this is how I'd have devotions: I would go through each chapter of Desire of Ages, start with the parallel passages in the Gospels, read them first, then read the chapter, and pray about what I was reading.

Anyone want to get a chapter-by-chapter study going here?

I would love to! I think that's a great idea to read the texts first. I was thinking about doing that but I never did.

How do we go about having a study here?

Hi, Sid and Nico

I will contact one of the Admin staff and get this put as a separate forum. I now have my computer working properly, so should be able to be more involved.

God bless,

Beryl

I suggest rather than posting the whole text here, we all agree to read a chapter at a time within a reasonable period, say, 3-5 days or 1-2 chapters within a week. We can then each post bits and segments for discussion or questions or thoughts as they arise. We move onto the next chapter once everyone signals they are ready to do so, whether that's the following week or a couple weeks down the road.

Some chapters are very long -- if we run into a long one we can just do that one for that week & discussion after.

Anyone can join in at any time, provided they join the discussion as it is happening and do their reading individually first. We will ask Beryl or another mod to lock the threads that are already passed, so they can be read but not bumped up or added to after-the-fact (this is assuming we don't move on till all signal they are ready to do so, etc.)

Does this sound like a good plan? Does anyone have an alternate plan to propose?

I think you're on to something really good Nico. The only thing I'm not sure about is the locked part. Maybe leave it unlocked so that others in the future can take part in it...but having some sort of pact (not blood ) that we'll stick to a specific reading/participating schedule (yet be able to jump back when additional thoughts appear)? I like the format of the Purpose Driven Life forum. Maybe we can use that one (one thread per chapter...so 87 threads in this case) or something similar?

This is a really good idea to form a study group. I'm happy.

When do we want to start?

Anytime is good for me. How about you Nico? Anyone else?

Well, why not now?

I notice that we have 8 pages in this chapter. Each page is a treasure in itself. Not every chapter is based on a particular scripture, so we can just incorporate the reading of that scripture in our private study -- and, of course, refer to it as needed in our replies.

So, how about 1 page per day? Or should we be prepared to go a little slower so as to make room for those days when......???? Well, you all have them, don't you?

So, please don't wait for anyone to lead out in particular, but someone commence the discussion on the next page the next day as you read it.

Having said that, let us start a new thread, "God with us" Ch.1

"Dear Lord, as we are about to begin this very important study, we ask for your blessing. Take the mind of each of us, and help us to see You in a clearer light as we stdy together. Amen."

i have this so all can participate including visitors, BUT if there ends up being a problem I will change tht, or if The Pearl of the Pacific wants it different I will change it.

That's fine, Stan. There appears to be a good interest building. I think this one is going to be good.

Beryl

(Hey, Stan, the Pacific has not been very kind lately!!!!!!!)

Hi, I am Sammy, a newbie.

I am a son of a Pentecostal minister and had ten years of Roman Catholic education before I entered an SDA Academy in Indonesia. I had problems learning English, so I decided to read English books with the accompaniment of an English-Indonesian dictionary. My bible teacher told me that The Desire of Ages has been called the best biography about Jesus in the English language. So I decided to make it one of my main textbook to master the English language. At the end of the year, I was considered the best English student in my class in fact in the whole High School, and even the College level. (At that time the Bandung Adventist High School and Indonesia Union College shared the same campus and buildings.)

Just recently I got a acquainted with a non-Christian student from China who is studying in York, England for her postgraduate degree in English. I told her my success in learning English in a very short time which I owe to The Desire of Ages. I sent her a chapter from the book at a time, and here is part of her letter after several chapters later:


"I'm really interested in language learning and Bible stories now . Thank you so much for your help . I always feel nervous when talking with native speakers because I'm afraid of making mistakes and being laughed by them. Now I realize what's my big problem . Your secrets of learning language are helpful for me . I hope to follow your footsteps and be successful like you.

Meanwhile , Bibles stories from that book you sent me are amazing . I'm looking forward to the following parts . I have copied it in my computer . I hope I can improve my English while enjoying the essence of western culture ."

Yes, I am very interested in joining this group, too.

God bless you all.

Sammy we are glad to have you with us!

Isn't it amazing how God works in our lives?