Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, March 21, 2026.

Central Theme: Just like the Heavenly Trio is a family community, we reflect the character of God by living in harmony as a family and community.

Read in Class: Colossians 3:18-19, Ephesians 5:22-25, 33, and Ephesians 6:1-4.

Study: What balance does Paul give us regarding authority in the family?

Apply: How can we avoid doing what has, unfortunately, been done all through history: taking the beautiful principles expressed in these texts and turning them into something evil?

Share: Your friend has been mistreated by her church, workplace, and even family. She tells you she is through with people and wants to live alone on an uninhabited island. What do you tell your friend? See, I used to be a People Person, but People Ruined it for me.

Read in Class: Colossians 3:22-25 and Colossians 4:1. Ask the class to identify the main idea of these passages.

Study: What instructions are given to slaves? What principles are here for work relations generally?

Apply: Consider how this passage could apply to your relationships at work. How might its principles be helpful to you as a boss or an employee?

Share: Your friend says he is tired of working with people, getting gossiped about, being stabbed in the back, and bosses who are jerks, and he is looking for a job where he can just be alone all the time. Besides, if he is alone, there will be no one to irritate him and make him act unChristlike. By being alone, he can be a better Christian. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 4:2-4. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What principles for prayer do you find in these verses? What prayer requests does Paul make?

Apply: Reread Colossians 4:3. What “door for the word” (NKJV) might God open for you to share your faith?

Share: Your friend notes that in 2 Chronicles 1:11-12, Solomon asked for wisdom rather than for his enemies to be destroyed. Your friend asks how this fact should influence the way we pray. What do you tell your friend?

Red in Class: Colossians 4:5-6. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is.

Study: In what situations does Paul indicate we especially need to “walk in wisdom”? Why might that be?

Apply: Think about your words, your actions, and how you walk before others. What message are you sending about your faith and what it means to be a Christian?

Share: Your friend mentions that if someone “rubs” you the wrong way, God may be using them to “polish” your character. Even Jesus had to get along with people who constantly questioned him and tried to annoy him. Your friend asks you how Jesus taught us to be the salt of the earth and answer difficult people. What do you tell your friend?

Mission: Can you think of someone who has been a little difficult to deal with or be around? Can you spend some extra time praying for them this week?