Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, 3 January 2026.

Central Theme: This week, we’ll look at the circumstances that Paul faced. He saw a larger purpose for what happened to him, and perhaps we can learn from him when we, as we inevitably do, face our own trials.

Read in Class: Ephesians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, and 2 Corinthians 6:3-7.

Study: How was Paul able to endure the trials that he faced? What seemed to be the focus of his entire life?

Apply: What spiritual resources were available to Paul to help him endure his trials? What resources do you use to endure your trials?

Share: Your friend asks, “What does it mean in 2 Corinthians 6:4 to commend yourself as a minister of God? What does that mean? Is this just talking about paid ministers?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Acts 9:10-16. Ask the class what is happening in this passage.

Study: How does this help us to understand some of Paul’s trials? How may it help us to understand some of our own?

Apply: Not only was Paul persecuted for his faith, but he also had persecuted others for their faith. When we are being mistreated, does it ever open our eyes to how we may have mistreated others? What lessons can we learn from our own suffering?

Share: Can you share a trial that you endured that helped you see and experience the goodness of God in a way you never had before?

Read in Class: Philemon 1:15-16, Colossians 4:9. Ask the class to identify the main idea of these passages.

Study: What course did Paul urge Philemon to take with Onesimus?

Apply: How do you stay focused on your calling in the Lord when others disrespect you and treat you less than a brother or sister?

Share: Your friend notes that in Daniel 5:13, the king is condescending toward Daniel, even after all Daniel had done, when he simply refers to him as a captive slave. Yet Daniel seemed to just shrug it off. Still, your friend asks you why God allows his people to be so disrespected. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:1-2, 12-18. Ask the class to summarize these passages.

Study: How is the church in Philippi described in these passages, and what was their concern for Paul? During Paul’s persecution, what was the overarching purpose that enabled him to endure?

Apply: What was Paul focused on that helped him to rejoice even while enduring persecution? How should this allow us to focus and even rejoice when we are being persecuted?

Share: What trials were you able to endure once you saw the larger purpose behind your trials? How did seeing the larger purpose help Jesus to endure what He suffered for us on the cross? See Isaiah 53:3-11, and Hebrews 12:2-3.