The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption,–the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers.
Teaching Plan for this week’s Sabbath School lesson.
Goal: Share with your class how the cross makes us all one in Christ.
A. Study: John 17:1-26
Examine: What are the key words and thoughts in this passage?
Discuss: Why is it so important to a parent that their children get along? Why is it so important to Jesus that His disciples love each other?
Apply: What did Jesus do to unify His disciples? Hint: Mark 10:42-45 ,John 13:1-17, John 15:13. How can we help answer Jesus’ prayer for unity? Can you share an example of how someone help unify a church or family?
B. Study: John 13:18-30
Examine: What are the key words and thoughts of this passage?
Discuss: Have you ever felt betrayed? How did it feel?
Apply: One day I was helping a friend weed her garden before a big party. Being careless I accidentally uprooted a beautiful flower as I was grabbing up all the weeds. How can we apply the same policy Jesus had towards Lucifer and Judas towards those we feel are our enemies? Why did Jesus allow Lucifer in heaven and Judas in his group of disciples? Why does Jesus allow people to betray us today?
C. Study: Mark 9:38-41
Examine: What are the key words and thoughts of this passage?
Discuss: Why are there so many different Christian denominations? Do we need to start a new denomination every time we have a disagreement on doctrine? See “Do We Have to Agree About Everything to Have Unity.”
Apply: What example in Mark 9:38-41 did Jesus give us, that we can apply towards our relationship towards independent ministries and other denominations?
D. Study: 1 John 2:3-6
Examine: What are the key words of this passage?
Discuss: How does the cross unify us? How do the commandments unify us? Can we have unity with just the cross? Can we have unity with just the commandments?
Apply: How can we live in God and live our lives the way Jesus did?
Reflection: How does the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross help you understand this week’s lesson and apply it to your daily life?
In Light of The Cross 