Section XIV — Guarding the avenues of the soul

Date _________AH-SG 43.1

A. Read pages 401-418.AH-SG 43.2

B. Check your knowledge:AH-SG 43.3

1. What does Sister White call the senses? (401:2.)

 AH-SG 43.4

2. What is Satan’s endeavor with regard to our senses? (401:4.)

 AH-SG 43.5

3. What assurance do we have when we are exposed to the assaults of unseen and invisible foes? (402:2.)

 AH-SG 43.6

4. What does the sight of deeds of crime do to the mind? (406:1.)

 AH-SG 43.7

5. Complete: “In Christian homes a bulwark should be built against __________________________.” (406:2.)AH-SG 43.8

6. What passage of Scripture should be the rule as we seek to guard the influences in our homes? (408, 409.)AH-SG 43.9

7. Complete: “Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to a wrong use, it is a ________________ ____________.” (408:0.)AH-SG 43.10

8. Complete: “The heart is corrupted through the ______________.” (408:1.)AH-SG 43.11

9. Choose from this list of words the right ones to insert in the following quotations: demoralize, exciting, knowledge, brain, tables.
a. “The susceptible, expanding mind of the child longs for __________________________.” (410:1.)
b. “Children need proper reading which will afford amusement and recreation and not ______________________________ the mind or wear the body.” (411:2.)
c. “Intemperate habits of reading have an effect upon the _____________ similar to that which intemperate habits of eating and drinking have upon the body.” (414:3.)
d. “Let publications upon moral and religious subjects be found on your _____________________ and in your libraries.” (416:0.)
e. “Children should be taught to reject trashy, _______________ tales and to turn to sensible reading, which will lead the mind to take an interest in Bible story, history, and argument.” (417:1.)AH-SG 43.12

10. How can parents prevent the enemy from sowing tares in their children’s hearts? (410:2.)

 AH-SG 43.13

11. What responsibility do parents of youth who are eager for reading have? (410, 411.)

 AH-SG 43.14

12. What is a result of hasty, superficial reading? (415:1.)

 AH-SG 44.1

13. What are compared to the frogs of Egypt? (415: 1.)

 AH-SG 44.2

14. If we are truly consecrated, will we take secular papers in preference to denominational literature in our homes? (415:2.)
 AH-SG 44.3

C. Rate the quality of your reading: Excellent. ______ Good ______ Poor _____Soul-destroying___AH-SG 44.4

1. What kind of reading helps you the most? _____________ __________________________________________________AH-SG 44.5

2. What kind of reading hinders you the most? __________ __________________________________________________AH-SG 44.6

D. Discuss with others:AH-SG 44.7

1. For what did God give us—
a. Eyes?


b. Ears?


c. Speech?


d. A heart? (401:1.)

 AH-SG 44.8

2. Name some agencies through which Satan can reach the senses. (402,403.)

 AH-SG 44.9

3. What means is Satan using to popularize crime and vice? (406:2.)

 AH-SG 44.10

4. To what dangers are young men and women especially exposed? (407:1.)

 AH-SG 44.11

5. How can we keep the resolution suggested in the last paragraph on page 409?

 AH-SG 44.12

6. What effect do love stories, fiction, books on sensational topics, exciting tales, works of infidel authors, myths, and fairy tales have on children and young people?


AH-SG 44.13

7. Make suggested lists of the types of literature that can profitably and safely be introduced into our homes.


AH-SG 44.14

8. Do the principles laid down to govern the choice of reading apply as well to programs presented on the radio and television?


AH-SG 44.15

E. Think on these things:AH-SG 44.16

1. “In no case can Satan obtain dominion over the thoughts, words. and actions, unless we voluntarily open the door and invite him to enter.” (402:2.)AH-SG 44.17

2. “So far as in us lies, we should close every avenue by which the tempter may find access to us.” (403:0.)AH-SG 44.18

3. “Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts.” (403:3.)AH-SG 45.1

4. “The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest.” (403:3.)AH-SG 45.2

F. Name the book you will read next.AH-SG 45.3