Prepared by William Earnhardt for the Sabbath School class, August 30, 2025.

Main Theme: God gave us practical instructions for daily living.

Read in Class: Exodus 21:12-19. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: What specific regulations were given regarding Hebrew slaves, homicide, and bodily injuries?

Apply: Though in most of the world the evil practice of institutionalized slavery has, for the most part, been abolished, some of its principles still exist, and what can we do, in our own limited sphere, to fight against these principles?

Share: Your friend asks you if you know the signs of someone being a victim of human trafficking, and what to do if you suspect someone is a victim. What do you tell your friend? Hint: See Signs of Trafficking on Shared Hope.

Read in Class: Exodus 22:16-26. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: What issues were dealt with in these laws and how?

Apply: How graceful and patient are you when others reject some of the truths of God’s words, of Jesus Himself? 

Share: Your friend asks you how you think foreigners should be treated in your country. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 5:38-48. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study:  How does Jesus interpret the meaning of the retaliation law? How should we apply it today?

Apply: How should the realization that one day justice will come help you deal with all the injustice that we see in the world now?

Share: Your friend asks you if you find it hard to pray for and bless your enemies. She asks if it’s even practical to expect us to love our enemies in real life. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What promise and command are found in these verses, and how are they closely related?

Apply: What are the ways we can learn to love in the way we are commanded to? Why does it always include “death to self?”

Share: Can you think of someone in your past whom you may need to forgive? Could you please reach out to them this week and share the same amazing grace that God has given to you? Remember, while some things are unforgivable, God’s grace makes the unforgivable forgivable.