Category / Sabbath School Teaching Plans

by In Light Of The Cross

2: Reasons for Thanksgiving and Prayer-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, Sabbath, 10 January 2026.

Central Theme: This week, we’ll consider Paul’s opening words of thanksgiving and prayer in Philippians and Colossians, which may enrich and strengthen our own prayer life.

Read in Class: Philippians 1:3-8. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What is Paul thankful for? What reassurances does he give the Philippians, and why is that important?

Apply: How do you understand the promise that God will finish the “good work in you” (Phil. 1:6)? What does that mean? Will this work ever end before the Second Coming?

Share: Who are some people in your life that you thank God for, and why?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:9-11. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the focus of Paul’s prayer, and what big requests does he make? What does it tell you about prayer?

Apply: Whatever else we do, how can our love “abound still more and more” (Phil. 1:9, NKJV)? Why is that so important for the Christian life? (See also 1 Cor. 13:1-8.)

Share: Your friend says that she tries to be sincere and not offend others, but the people she works with are too sensitive and easily offended. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:12-18. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: How did Paul view his imprisonment? What lessons can we learn from his attitude, despite the circumstances he found himself in?

Apply: What lesson have you learned from experiences that, though unquestionably bad, also brought about some benefits? Even in cases in which a benefit might not be apparent, how can we learn to trust God regardless?

Share: Your friend asks, “What selfish motivations could possibly drive someone to share the gospel, and how should we respond to them?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 1:3-12. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What three things does Paul thank God for? What specific requests do you find in Paul’s prayer?

Apply: In Colossians 1:5, Paul writes about “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.” What is your understanding of that hope, and why does it apply to you personally, even though you are truly unworthy?

Share: If someone were to ask you, “How do you know that God is leading you in one direction or another?” how would you answer–and why?

Mission: Can you reach out to someone this week who is going through a tough time and offer encouragement?

by In Light Of The Cross

1: Paul in Chains-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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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.

by In Light Of The Cross

13: Choose This Day!-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, 27 December 2025.

Central Theme: Joshua is close to the end of his life; no replacement is on the horizon. The covenant renewal is a reminder to Israel that their king is Yahweh Himself and that, if they remain loyal to Him, they will enjoy His protection. Israel does not need a human king. As a theocratic nation, they have to always keep in mind that their only king is the Lord.

Read in Class: Joshua 24:2-13. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study:  What is the main thrust of God’s message to Israel?

Apply: What are ways in which we can, as a church, have a better sense of corporate responsibility—that is, grasp the idea that what we do impacts everyone in the church?

Share: Your friend says that Joshua 24:13 shows the people did not build the cities they lived in or plant the vineyards they ate from. However, your friend says that since he has worked hard to buy his home and put food on his family’s table, he does not feel that God’s grace has given him these things; instead, they are the result of his hard work. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 24:14-15. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What did Joshua appeal to the Israelites to do?

Apply: What does it mean to you to serve the Lord “in sincerity” and “in truth”? What are some of the distracting factors in your life that prevent your full devotion to God?

Share: Your friend asks, “What are some idols in our culture we need to put away?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 24:16-21. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What was Israel’s response to Joshua’s appeal? Why do you think Joshua reacted to their answer in the way he did?

Apply: Knowing our own weaknesses, what are some practical ways that you rely on God during the day to serve God?

Share: Your friend says we can serve God by trusting His promises rather than making our own. What do you tell your friend? What part might we play besides just trusting God’s promises? See 2 Peter 1:4.

Read in Class: Joshua 24:22-33. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: Why would Joshua need to repeat his appeal to the Israelites to get rid of their idols? How are these words not only looking back to Joshua’s life but also looking forward to the future?

Apply: Joshua, like Paul, “fought the good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7, NKJV). What was the key to Joshua’s success? What decisions do you need to make today to finish with the same assurance of salvation?

Share: What are your key takeaways from this quarter’s lesson?

by In Light Of The Cross

12: God is Faithful-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, December 20, 2025.

Central Theme: This week, we will study together the first speech of Joshua, in which he glances back at Israel’s victories while at the same time tracing the path to future success

Read in Class: Joshua 21:43-45 and 2 Timothy 2:11-13.

Study: What picture do these passages paint of God? How do these words apply not only to the historical Promised Land but also to the reality of our salvation

Apply: How does God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises give us confidence that none of His promises for the future will fail? (See 1 Cor. 10:13, 2 Cor. 1:18-20.)

Share: Your friend says that she prayed for God to save her mother from a deadly disease, but her mother still died, so now she does not believe God is faithful. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 23:1-13.

Study: What are the primary focal points of Joshua’s introduction? Why do you think Joshua took such a strong position concerning Israel’s relations with the surrounding nations?

Apply: What are the similarities between how the Israelites conquered Canaan under Joshua’s leadership and the way Christians today can live a victorious spiritual life? Read Josh. 23:10, Col. 2:15, 2 Cor. 10:3-5, Eph. 6:11-18.

Share: Your friend states, “Joshua’s warning against harmful associations inevitably leads to the question of the Christian’s relationship to the world. How can we find a balanced relationship with the society that surrounds us?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 23:15-16.

Study: How should we interpret the descriptions of God’s wrath and retributive justice in Joshua (Josh. 23:15-16) and elsewhere in Scripture? (See also Num. 11:33; 2 Chron. 36:16; Rev. 14:10, 19; Rev. 15:1.)

Apply: We are motivated to love and obey God because he first loved us. See 2 Corinthians 5:14 and 1 John 4:19. What place does the fear of God’s wrath play in our lives, if any?

Share: Your friend says it seems like the wicked get away with everything. Where is God’s wrath on the wicked today? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Deuteronomy 6:5 and Joshua 23:11.

Study: Love cannot be forced; otherwise, it will cease to be what it essentially is. Yet in what sense can love be commanded?

Apply: Jesus gave a new commandment to His disciples. In what sense was this commandment new and old at the same time? Read John 13:34, John 15:17, and 1 John 3:11; compare with Lev. 19:18.

Share: Your friend says he has trust issues when it comes to clinging to God with all of his heart. What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

11: Living in the Land-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared for Sabbath School class on December 13, 2025.

Central Theme: Why is it dangerous to jump to a rash conclusion about the behavior of others? How can we foster unity in the church? Why is it important to keep in mind the larger scope of our calling and not get caught up in distractions? These are some of the questions we will address this week.

Read in Class: Joshua 22:5-20. Ask the class to summarise this passage.

Study: What accusations do the West Jordan tribes level against the East Jordan tribes? To what extent were these accusations well-founded? For ideas, see Deuteronomy 12.

Apply:  Read Luke 6:37, John 7:24, 1 Cor. 4:5. Why is it so easy to jump to wrong conclusions about the motives of others? How did Jesus and Paul teach us to avoid jumping to incorrect conclusions?

Share: Your friend says a group from her Seventh-day Adventist church has started its own home church. They teach the Bible just like the church does, but your friend says this is wrong, because we should only be worshiping at official Adventist churches. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Numbers 25:5-11 and Joshua 22:13-15.

Study: Why do the Israelites choose Phinehas as the head of the delegation to the two-and-a-half tribes?

Apply: We all have negative experiences from the past that shape how we deal with similar incidents in the future. How can God’s grace help to ensure that the tragedies of our past do not determine the way we treat our neighbors in the present?

Share: Your friend points out that in the story in Daniel 3, even a pagan king had enough common sense to ask those accused if the accusation was true. Your friend asks you how Matthew 18:15-20 can help us to mediate fairly when disputes arise. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 22:21-29 and Proverbs 15:1.

Study: What can we learn from the answer of the eastern tribes?

Apply: How do you handle false accusations? Share some of the principles that guide your attitude. For inspiration, see Psalm 37:3-6, 34, 37.

Share: Your friend says it is better not to defend yourself against false accusations because defending yourself only gives the accusation merit. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 22:30-34.

Study: How does this entire incident give us some insights into conflict resolution and ways of ensuring the unity of the church? (Compare with Psalm 133; John 17:20-23; 1 Pet. 3:8-9.)

Apply: Without betraying any confidences, can you share how Bible counsel has helped you to peacefully resolve conflicts in the past?

Share: Can you think of someone you have jumped to conclusions and misjudged in the past? If you have not already made things right with them, how can you make things right with them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

10: The True Joshua-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared for Sabbath School Class, December 6, 2025.

Central Theme: This week, we will examine principles of biblical interpretation related to typology. We will study how the Bible itself contains indicators of typology and how the life of Joshua foreshadows the ministry of the Messiah and points to symbolism fulfilled in the church and in the consummation of human history.

Read in Class: Romans 5:14, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, and Hebrews 8:5.

Study: What is Biblical typology?

Apply: How was the conquest of Canaan a “type” of our conquest of the new earth, and our spiritual conquests?

Share: Your friend asks how we are supposed to know when the Bible is literal, figurative, or using types. How do we know if something is just a type or a real thing? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 3:1-2, Joshua 1:1-3, Numbers 13;1-2, and Joshua 2:1.

Study: In the light of biblical typology, what is the significance of the multiple parallelisms between the lives of Moses and Joshua?

Apply: Read Acts 7:37. Who is Moses talking about? Joshua? Jesus? Both? Who was Jesus like Moses and Joshua, and what does that mean to us?

Share: Your friend says that she heard that Jesus came to be like us so we could be like Him. Your friend asks, How can we be like Jesus? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Hebrews 3:7-4:11.

Study: How does the New Testament confirm that Joshua, the new Moses, is himself a type of Jesus Christ?

Apply: What does it mean to be able to “rest” in what Christ has done for us? That is, how can we have assurance that Jesus has defeated Satan on our behalf?

Share: Your friend asks you if you have ever known anyone who really reminded you of Jesus. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 1 Peter 1:3-4 and Revelation 21:1-3.

Study: What do these texts say about the ultimate fulfillment of the Joshua typology? 

Apply: Joshua, the type, asked the Israelites: “ ‘How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?’ ” (Josh. 18:3, NKJV). How would Jesus, the antitype of Joshua, phrase that question today?

Share: Can you think of someone who would benefit from being in your Sabbath School class with you each Sabbath? Can you reach out and invite them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

9: Heirs of Promises: Prisoners of Hope-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, 29 November 2025.

Central Theme: This week, we will examine theological concepts related to the Promised Land and their spiritual implications for those who claim all the promises found in Jesus.

Read in Class: Exodus 3:8, Leviticus 20:22, Leviticus 25:23, and Numbers 13:27.

Study: What was the special relationship between God, Israel, and the Promised Land?

Apply: In the light of 1 Peter 2:11 and Hebrews 11:9-13, what does it mean to you personally to live as a stranger and sojourner looking forward to the city whose designer and builder is God Himself?

Share: Your friend asks what it means to be an heir of a promise. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 13:1-7. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Even though the land of Canaan was a gift from God, what were some of the challenges that came with possessing it?

Apply: How do Christians today encounter similar challenges to those related to occupying the Promised Land? See Phil. 2:12, Heb. 12:28.

Share: Your friend says that when she was younger, she believed with all her heart that Jesus was coming soon and one day she would receive the promise of having eternal life on the New Earth. But decades later, she is now wondering if it is all just make-believe. Jesus hasn’t come yet, and she wonders whether she can still trust the Bible’s promises about the second coming and the new earth. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Leviticus 25:1-5, Leviticus 25:8-13. Ask the class to identify the main idea of these passages.

Study: What was the purpose of the Sabbatical year and of the Year of Jubilee?

Apply: How can the principles of the Israelite land allotment and the Sabbath remind us that, in God’s eyes, we are all equal? How can the Sabbath help us say “no” to the exploitive, vicious cycles of consumerism that plague many societies?

Share: your friend says we should be just as gracious with others as God has been generous with us, and yet we have to be practical too. You can’t make a profit in business by being generous to everyone. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Jeremiah 24:6, Jeremiah 31:16, and Ezekiel 11:17.

Study: What was the promise of God concerning the return of Israel to the Promised Land, and how was it fulfilled?

Apply: Read John 14:1-3, Titus 2:13, and Revelation 21:1-3. What ultimate hope is found for us here in these verses, and why does the death of Jesus guarantee us the fulfillment of this hope?

Share: Can you think of a friend who would be encouraged by some of the Scripture we studied this week? Can you reach out to them and share these wonderful promises?

by In Light Of The Cross

8: Giants of Faith: Joshua and Caleb-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class on November 22, 2025.

Central Theme: This lesson takes a deeper look into the personal examples of two giants of faith in the book of Joshua: Caleb and Joshua. What is it that made them stand out in their generation and play a key role in the life of God’s people during one of the most crucial periods of Israel’s history?

Read in Class: Numbers 13:30-32 and Joshua 14:14. Ask the class to identify the main idea of these passages.

Study: What do these passages tell us about Caleb?

Apply: Read Numbers 14:6-10, 21-25. What do you learn from Caleb about standing for what is right even when threatened with death?

Share: Your friend on the church board tells you he always votes with the majority because he wants to be easy to get along with and not ruffle any feathers. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 15:16-19, Judges 1:13, and Judges 3:7-11.

Study: What does this story tell you about the power of example? How is Caleb’s attitude being reproduced in the younger generation?

Apply: Passing on the torch of faith to the next generation is crucial to the fulfillment of the mission God has entrusted to us. Think about the challenges of passing on faith to the next generation, on the one hand, and about the opportunities for young people to assume more responsibility in the work of God, on the other. What can we do to facilitate and train youth to assume godly leadership? How crucial is our example in this process?

Share: Your friend asks you who some of the people are who have influenced you the most in life, and how their influence helped you. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 19:49-51. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: What are the implications of the fact that the great leader of Israel, who apportioned the land, received his inheritance last?

Apply: What lessons can you draw for yourself regarding Joshua’s attitude? How might you apply it to yourself now?

Share: Your friend asks, What examples of great faith and leadership have you seen in your church community. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Read in Class: Hebrews 12:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Study: How does focusing on Jesus’ life and the faith of others around us change us?

Apply: Read Romans 12:1-2. How can we make sure we are not being influenced by the world?

Share: Can you think of someone who said or did something that later influenced you to make the right choice? Can you reach out to that person and affirm them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

7: Ultimate Loyalty: Worship in a War Zone-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for the Sabbath School class, 15 November 2025.

Central Theme: Nothing is more urgent or necessary than our time of worship with God.

Read in Class: Joshua 5:1-10. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Why did the Lord command Joshua to circumcise the second generation of Israelites at this particular time of the conquest?

Apply: Think about the times you have neglected time with God because of more “important” matters. Why is this so easy to do, and how can we fight against it?

Share: Your friend asks why it was important for Joshua to have Israel celebrate Passover in the midst of the conquest of Canaan. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Deuteronomy 11:26-30 and Joshua 8:30-31. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What was Joshua’s motivation for building an altar to the Lord?

Apply: What are some spiritual practices we can engage in now that can serve the same functions as building an altar did in ancient times?

Share: Your friend asks what altars or monuments the church has built today? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 8:32-35. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the meaning of the act described in these verses, and what should it say to us today?

Apply: How easy do you find it, in the rush and hubbub of life, to forget the Lord and seek to do things in your own strength and power? Why is this so easy to do, especially when things are going well for you?

Share: Your friend asks why it was so crucial for Israel to have a written copy of the covenant. What do you tell your friend? What do you tell your friend? For a hint, see: Deuteronomy 6:6-14.

Read in Class: Joshua 18:1-2. Ask the class to give the main idea of this passage.

Study: What was the activity for which Joshua interrupted the process of allotting the land?

Apply: Read Hebrews 10:19-23. What can we as Christians, who do not have an earthly sanctuary enshrining the physical presence of God among us, learn from Joshua?

Share: Can you think of someone who needs encouragement to make time for worship in their daily schedule? Could you call and pray with them this week, or even offer to study the Sabbath School lesson with them over the phone if you’re not able to meet in person?

by In Light Of The Cross

6: The Enemy Within-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, November 8, 2025.

Central Theme: While we are on the border of the Promised Land, our faithfulness is tested, and we can be victorious only through surrender to Jesus Christ.

Read in Class: Joshua 7. Ask the class to summarize this chapter.

Study: What were the two major causes of Israel’s defeat by the inhabitants of Ai?

Apply: What are ways whole communities can suffer, and have suffered, from the bad acts of individuals within the community? What examples can you think of, and how was the community impacted?

Share: Your friend says that she has heard that there is no such thing as “private sin.” Your friend asks you if you agree with that statement. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 7:16-21. Ask the class to share a thought on this passage.

Study: What does the entire procedure tell us about both God and Achan? What is Joshua asking Achan to do? What is the significance of such a request? How do we understand his confession?

Apply: How does the realization that God knows all that you do, even your hidden things, impact how you live? How should it affect how you live?

Share: Your friend asks how we can overcome covetousness in such a materialistic society? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Joshua 8:1-8. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this story tell us about how God can change our worst failures into opportunities?

Apply: How important is it that our church members obey all the statutes and judgments in our lives in witness to those outside the church? 

Share: Your friend asks, when Jesus was baptized, was He just giving us a good example, or was He also repenting on behalf of the human race He was now representing, even though He had never sinned? In other words, was He giving us an example of corporate repentance? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Daniel 2:24. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: While Achan’s sin brought disaster upon the whole nation, what effect did Daniel’s prayer and faithfulness have on his contemporaries, even the evil ones?

Apply: Read Matthew 5:13-16. As Christians, how should our lives, even our private lives, be influencing the world around us?

Share: Your friend asks what the saying means, “We are our own worst enemy.” In light of this week’s lesson, what do you tell your friend?