Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class on Sabbath, September 24, 2022.

Main Theme: Jesus loved us so much He was willing to say goodbye to life forever if that’s what it to save us. Our appreciate for His amazing love makes it possible for us to love the way He loves.

Read in Class: Matthew 27:45-51. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What made Jesus ask His Father why He was forsaking Him? What made Jesus think He was forsaken? See Agape in the Crucible.

Apply: Considering how deeply Christ suffered on the cross, what exactly makes sin so offensive to you?

Share: Your friend asks you how the cross of Christ has changed your life? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Luke 2:7, 22-24, and Matthew 2:13-18. Define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What do we see in these verses that gives us an indication of the kind of life Jesus faced from the start?

Apply: In what ways can you identify with Jesus’ childhood? How does what He endured as a child give you hope? See the chapter, As a Child, in Desire of Ages.

Share: Your friend asks you why God allowed innocent babies to be destroyed by Herod? How could the birth of Jesus possibly bring peace and goodwill towards the poor grieving parents? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Luke 4:21-30. What is the main idea of this passage?

Study: How does this passage help us understand the suffering and rejection Jesus faced on earth?

Apply: What can you learn from Christ that can help you better cope with the pain of rejection? What does His example show you? How can you apply it to your own life?

Share: Your friend tells you it is not practical for God to expect us to loved people who do not love us in return. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:33-36, and Luke 22:41-44. What is the common thread of these passages?

Study: What do we learn from these passages about how Christ suffered in Gethsemane?

Apply: Dwell upon what was happening to Jesus in Gethsemane. Already the sins of the world were starting to fall upon Him. Try to imagine what that must have been like. No human being has ever been called to go through anything like this before or since. What does this tell us about God’s love for us? What hope can you draw from this for yourself?

Share: What is the most important thing you have learned while studying the Sabbath School lesson in the last 13 weeks?