Spirit of Prophecy
An introduction to the writings of Ellen G. White — the lesser light pointing to the greater light, the Word of God.
Christ's Object Lessons
Overview
Christ's Object Lessons is Ellen G. White's beloved devotional exploration of the parables of Jesus. Jesus, the Great Teacher, did not use a classroom -- He taught in the hills and valleys of Palestine, taking common things like the shepherd, the sower, the lost coin, and the growing seed, and linking them to profound truths about God's love and our relationships with one another. In this book White unfolds these best-loved teachings one by one, first illuminating the story itself and then drawing out its rich spiritual meaning for daily life. Written not as a dry commentator but as a messenger pleading the case of the Lord she loves, she makes each parable come alive with practical application that touches the heart.
Purpose & Background
Ellen White wrote this book to open the deep spiritual lessons of Christ's parables to ordinary readers, and to show that divine truth is woven into the common things of everyday life. She wanted believers to see their world differently -- to find in the sower, the seed, the vine, and the household the very lessons of heaven. There was also a practical purpose close to her heart: the book was published to help relieve the debts of the church's schools, and for many years its sale supported Adventist education. She donated the royalties to this cause.
Best For
Every believer who loves the teachings of Jesus and wants to understand His parables more deeply. Its short, self-contained chapters make it ideal for daily devotional reading, and its practical, heart-centered tone speaks to new and mature Christians alike. A wonderful companion to reading the Gospels.
Publisher
Review and Herald Publishing Association
First published in 1900 by the Review and Herald, Christ's Object Lessons holds a special place in Adventist history. Ellen White gave the royalties from the book to help pay off the crushing debts of the denomination's schools, and church members volunteered to sell it for the same cause. Through this effort the book raised substantial funds for Adventist education -- a living example of the very self-sacrificing service its parables teach.
Contents
Christ's Object Lessons contains 30 chapters, each unfolding one or more of Christ's parables. The parables are grouped by theme. The complete chapter-by-chapter text is available free at the read link.
- The Nature of Parables -- why Jesus taught in parables and how divine truth is drawn from common things
- Seed-Sowing -- the sower and the seed, the growing seed, and the tares among the wheat
- In Common Paths -- everyday parables such as the hidden treasure, the pearl, the net, and the householder
- God's Seeking Love -- the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son
- Prayer -- the importunate friend and the persistent widow, teaching persevering prayer
- Warning -- parables of accountability such as the two debtors, the wedding garment, and the rich fool
- Service and Reward -- the talents, the pounds, the good Samaritan, and the great final reckoning