Prepared by William Earnhardt, For Sabbath School Class on February 28, 2026.

Central Theme: The process of individual reconciliation is unpacked in this week’s passage. As with the cosmic sphere, it happens through the death of Christ. On the individual level, the cross, far from being a passive symbol, becomes an active reality, with God’s love transforming people as they hear the gospel and receive Christ Himself, the hope of glory.

Read in Class: Colossians 1:21-23. Ask the class to briefly summarize this passage.

Study: What is Paul alluding to with his reference to alienation and being enemies? And what is the expected end result of Christ’s death (see also Eph. 5:27)? What do you think Paul means by remaining “grounded and steadfast” in the faith? (See also Col. 2:5 and Eph. 3:17.)

Apply: What has been your experience regarding the importance of continuing to exercise faith? That is, why must you always make a conscious choice to do that? What will happen if you don’t?

Share: Your friend tells you that we need the cross for reconciliation here on earth, but the angels did not need it because they are perfect and unfallen. Therefore, once we are in heaven, we won’t need the cross either. What do you tell your friend? See Why Heaven Needed Reconciliation.

Read in Class: Colossians 1:24-25. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does Paul say about his suffering for Christ’s sake?

Apply: Think about your own life. How might the decisions you make (big and small) fit within God’s larger plan? Can we really know whether a decision is actually “small”? How might it have larger ramifications that will become apparent only later?

Share: Your friend says that when we suffer for Christ, we are also suffering for His body, which is the church. If so, how are we suffering for each other when we are suffering for Christ? How have you suffered for the church?

Read in Class: Colossians 1:26-27, Ephesians 1:7-10, and Ephesians 3:3-6. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What is the mystery Paul is talking about in these passages, and what does this mystery have to do with the plan of salvation?

Apply: How has this mystery of the gospel already reunited you with heaven while still being right here on earth?

Share: Your friend asks you what the mystery of God is in Revelation 10, and how and when it is finished in verse 7. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 1:28-29. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is Paul’s focus? Why do you think “everyone” (NKJV and ESV) is repeated three times?

Apply: How do you understand what it means to be “perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28)? How does an understanding of what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross help in knowing what it means to be “perfect in Christ Jesus”?

Share: Your friend asks, since Paul wants to present every man (and woman) perfect in Christ, does that mean that none of us are beyond hope of reconciliation and redemption? What do you tell your friend?

Mission: Can you think of someone who has been abused and mistreated and never really seen the love of God? How can you show them the love of goodness and God this week so they can be reconciled to Christ? See Romans 2:4.