Category / Sabbath School Teaching Plans

by In Light Of The Cross

4: How God Rescues us-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, July 22, 2023.

Main Theme: Ephesians 2:1-10 describes our rescue story.

Read in Class: Ephesians 2:1-10. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the main idea that Paul is giving us here about what Jesus has done for us?

Apply: What do these verses teach about the reality of the great controversy? At the same time, how can we draw comfort and hope in the knowledge that Jesus has been victorious and that we can share in His victory now?

Share: Your friend says, its okay to continue in sin because we are saved by grace. What do you share with your friend? Does grace save us from death or from sin? Or both? See Ephesians 2: Sitting With Jesus in Heavenly Places.

Read in Class: Compare Romans 1:5 and Titus 2:11-12 with Ephesians 2:8-10. What are the common threads in these passages?

Study: What distinct qualities does each passage tell us grace produces in our lives?

Apply: In Ephesians 2:8-9 is God’s grace responding to our faith or is our faith responding to God’s grace? What is the difference and why does it matter? Notice also that in Romans 2:4 God’s goodness leads us to repentance instead of our repentance leading to God’s goodness.

Share: Your friend notices in Titus 2:11-12 it says we are to live righteous and godly lives in this present age. Your friend says he thought our characters would be changed at the second coming, and then we could live righteous and godly lives. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 2:6-7. Define the main theme of this passage.

Study: what sense do believers participate in Christ’s resurrection, ascension, and exaltation? When does this participation occur?

Apply: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV). How do the verses we looked at today help us understand what Paul writes here?

Share: Your friend asks, how does knowing your are currently sitting in heavenly places with Christ right now, change they way you look at your every day struggles? What do you tell your friend?

Read Again in Class: Ephesians 2:1-10. After the discussions you have had, what new insights do you see in this passage?

Study: What points does Paul highlight as he concludes this passage?

Apply: While the good works of believers play no role in their redemption, in that they can never give people saving merit before God, what important part do they play in God’s plans for believers? Eph. 2:10.

Share: Can you think of someone who has been struggling in their own power, who may need to hear about God’s grace? How can you share the plan of salvation by grace with them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

3: The Power of the Exalted Jesus-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class on July 15, 2023.

Main Theme: We can experience the power and reality of Jesus’ transforming grace in our own lives.

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:15-23 and Ephesians 3:14-21. Define the common theme in these two prayer reports.

Study: What does it mean that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think? Do you see that power in your life? If not, why not?

Apply: Why is it important always to thank God in prayer for what you have to be thankful for?

Share: Your friend notices that Paul seems to be constantly praying for those he is reaching for Jesus. Your friend asks you how much you pray for those you are reaching for Jesus. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:17-19. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: Paul prays that the Holy Spirit will bring special insight to believers on what three topics?

Apply: How can you better experience “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe”? What does this mean in daily life?

Share: Your friend asks, if God’s power is so great, why does it seem like evil is winning all over the world? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 2:2, and Ephesians 6:12. Define the common thread in these passages.

Study: Why does Paul seem to be so interested in evil powers?

Apply: What are some present-day manifestations of these same evil forces, and how can we make sure that we don’t get caught up in any of them?

Share: Your friend asks if its possible to think we are fighting against each other when we are really fighting wicked spirits in high places? What do you tell your friend? What are some examples you can give?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:22-23. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What benefits does the exaltation of Christ to the throne of the cosmos, and His rule over all things in heaven and on earth, provide for His church?

Apply: What has been your own experience with the power of prayer? That is, not just answered prayers but prayer in general, and how does prayer draw us closer to God and the power offered us in Jesus?

Share: Can you pray the prayer Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:14-21 for someone this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

2: God’s Grand, Christ-Centered Plan-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, July 8, 2023.

Main Theme: The Book of Ephesians tells us what God’s grace has already provided to secure our salvation.

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:7-8. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: “Redemption” is an idea that is used frequently in the New Testament. Compare the uses of the idea in Colossians 1:13, 14; Titus 2:13, 14; and Hebrews 9:15. What themes do these passages share in common with Ephesians 1:7, 8?

Apply: What does it mean to you that through Christ’s atoning sacrifice you are forgiven and redeemed? What if you feel that you are unworthy of it? (Hint: you are unworthy; that’s the whole point of the cross.)

Share: Your friend asks you how God’s grace has already transformed your life? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:9-10. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is God’s “plan for the fullness of time,” and how extensive is its reach?

Apply: How can you acknowledge and celebrate that the redemption you have experienced in Christ Jesus is part of something sweeping and grand, an integral part of God’s studied and ultimate plan to unite all things in Christ?

Share: Your friend asks how heaven and earth are united? What do you tell your friend? See also Why Heaven Needs to be Reconciled.

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: Compare the uses of the idea of “inheritance” in Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18. Why do you think this idea is important to Paul?

Apply: What is the difference between working to get something and inheriting it instead? How does this idea help us understand what we have been given in Jesus?

Share: Your friend asks if you believe in predestination? What do you tell your friend? See did God predestinate us to be saved or lost?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:13-14. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: Paul tells in brief the conversion story of his readers. What are the steps in that story?

Apply: How does Paul reveal salvation by faith alone and not by works of the law? 

Share: Can you think of someone who needs to be assured they are included in the plan of salvation? How can you encourage them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

1: Paul and the Ephesians-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, July 1, 2023.

Main Theme: In the book of Ephesians Paul tells us how God’s grace protects us against the wicked powers in our community.

Read in Class: Acts 19:13-20. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What strange event leads to widespread reverence for “the Lord Jesus” in Ephesus?

Apply: What did the burning of their own books signify, even at such an expense to themselves? What does that say about a total commitment to the Lord?

Share: Your friend asks why the demons were able to overpower the people using the name of Jesus? What clues from the passage itself can you share with your friend? Also see Matthew 7:21-23.

Read in Class: Acts 19:21-Acts 20:1. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What lessons can we draw from this story?

Apply: At the end of his third missionary journey, Paul meets with elders of the Ephesian church. How would you summarize Paul’s concerns? (See Acts 20:17-38)

Share: After reading these warnings, you friend asks, “What do you think Paul would warn our church today about, and why?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:1-2 and Ephesians 6:21-24. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: How does Paul begin and end his letter to the believers in Ephesus? What do we learn about his deepest desires for them? How does Paul worry about the effect his imprisonment will have on believers in Ephesus? See Eph. 3:13.

Apply: How can you use your personal tribulations as a witness to others about the goodness of God?

Share: Your friend says, “I thought the whole point of accepting Jesus as our Savior was so He would bless us and make us prosperous? If we still have tribulations what’s the point of having Jesus in our lives? How has God’s grace protected us from the evil in our community if we still suffer harm?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:9-10. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does Paul announce the theme of his letter?

Apply: In the church of which you are a part, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, God is drawing together a transnational, multilingual, multiracial, cross-cultural community (Rev. 14:6, 7) that points the way to the fulfillment of His plan to unite all things in Jesus (Eph. 1:9, 10). How can we work in concert with God’s grand plan?

Share: Can you think of a friend who would enjoy these studies on Ephesians? Can you invite your friend to Sabbath School?

by In Light Of The Cross

13: Ablaze With God’s Glory-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, June 24, 2023.

Main Theme: The three angel’s message in Revelation 14:6-12 leads God’s people out of the dark ages into the light of the Gospel.

Read in Class: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study:  What admonition does the apostle Paul give us regarding the last days of human history?

Apply: Paul says not “to sleep” as others do. What does that mean, and how can we know if we are, indeed, sleeping and, if we are, what will it take to wake us?

Share: Your friend asks you where you see things in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 being fulfilled? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 18:1-4. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What three things does John tell us about this angel? (See also Hab. 2:14).

Apply: Ultimately, how do the issues in the last days (as they really do every day) come down to authority? Whose authority do we follow: God’s, our own, the beast power’s, or someone else’s? Whose authority are you following now?

Share: Your friend asks, if God’s people are being called out of the churches they are in where are they supposed to go? Does the Bible tell us? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 4:11, 5:12 and 19:1. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What words are associated with the glory of God that fills the earth as described in Revelation 18:1?

Apply: How does God’s church bring glory to God? What are some practical ways we give light to this dark world?

Share: Your friend complains that it seems like his Adventist father-in-law is always bashing other churches. Your friend asks if its really necessary to bash other churches in order to share truth? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 13:1-4 and Revelation 14:1-12. Discuss the contrasts in these two passages.

Study: How do we make sure we are following the Lamb instead of the beast? Where all does the Lamb go and where do we go when we follow the Lamb?

Apply: Where has the world seen you following the Lamb recently?

Share: Take a moment and share some new ideas your have gleaned from this quarter’s lesson.

by In Light Of The Cross

12: The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast Part 2-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, June 17,2023.

Main Theme: We all have to make a choice for or against God.

Read in Class: Revelation 13:5, Revelation 12:6,14 and Daniel 7:25. Define the common threads of this passage.

Study: How long was this power to rule through previous centuries?
(Note: 42 months; a time, times, and half a time; and 1,260 days is the same 1,260 years from 538AD with Justinian’s Code to 1798AD with Berthier marching into Rome and putting the pope in prison.)

Apply: Think about how amazing biblical prophecy is and how it reveals to us God’s knowledge of future events. What should this fact teach us about why we can trust the Lord’s promises, even the ones we don’t yet see fulfilled?

Share: Your friend says the 1260 days are still in the future and do not have anything to do with the papacy. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 9-12. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does Paul predict about the last days? What identifying marks does he give for the beast, the antichrist power?

Apply: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12, NKJV). How must we apply this principle in dealing with the theme of the beast powers in Revelation 13 and 14?

Share: Your friend says, “1 John 2:18 says there are many antichrists. If there are many antichrists who are they? Hint: Could you be an Antichrist?

Read in Class: Revelation 17:12-14. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does John describe these final scenes of earth’s history? What powerful contrast is seen here?

Apply: How do make sure we are not unwittingly at war with the Lamb?

Share: Your friend asks, “Why does the Lamb have to conquer all the other powers? Why can’t we just all peacefully coexist? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 14:9-12. Define the main idead of this passage.

Study: Where is the mark of the beast placed? (See Deut. 6:8, Deut. 11:18). What two characteristics contrast God’s people from those who receive the mark of the beast?

Apply: In what ways has humanity always been divided along the lines of being on either God’s side or on Satan’s? Why can there be no middle ground? How can we know, for sure, just whose side we really are on?

Share: You friend says that she heard someone say that the third angel’s message in Revelation 14:9-12 is all about righteousness by faith. How so? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

11: The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast Part one-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, Sabbath, June 10, 2023.

Main Theme: God’s people will be loyal to Jesus because they love Him because He first loved them.

Read in Class: Revelation 14:12. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What two characteristics do we discover in this passage about God’s last-day people? Why are both important?

Apply: How faithful are you in the little things? What might that tell you about how you will be when the real trial comes? (See Luke 16:10).

Share: Your friend tells you the church focuses too much on commandment keeping instead of faith. How would Revelation 14:12 help you answer your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 13:1-3 and Revelation 14:4. Define the common thread of these passages

Study: Where does the beast come from, and who gives the beast his authority? What contrast do you see in these verses?

Apply: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved“ (Matt. 10:22, NKJV). How ready are you to endure to the end?

Share: Your friend asks you what the Biblical meaning of “blasphemy” is? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 13:4-5 and Revelation 13:13-17. Define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What identifying marks of the beast power do we discover in these verses? What will God’s end-time people face in the final crisis?

Apply: Read Galatians 6:7-9. Though this is not written in the context of last-day events, why is the principle there so relevant to issues over the mark of the beast, and how we can stand faithful?

Share: Your friend asks if the mark on the hand or forehead is literal or symbolic? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 27:45-50. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this teach us about what Christ had experienced on the cross? What did Jesus mean by asking God why He had forsaken Him, and how does this scene help us understand what it means to have “the faith of Jesus”?

Apply and share: Your friend asks how you have shown the faith of Jesus in your own life? How has the faith of Jesus helped you get by even in the worst of times? What do you tell your friend? See When the Faithfulness of Jesus carried me Through.

by In Light Of The Cross

10: Satan’s Final Deceptions-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, June 3, 2023.

Maine Theme: The Scriptures keep us safe from Satan’s final deceptions.

Read in Class: Ecclesiastes 9:5, Job 19:25-27, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Revelation 14:13. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What clear instruction did God give His people about life after death, and where do we find our hope?

Apply: What examples of modern spiritualism exist in your culture today? Why is firm adherence to the Word of God our only protection?

Share: Your friend tells you he believes when you die you go straight to heaven, because years ago when he was on the operating table he temporarily died and saw a bright light which he believes was heaven. It was very real and he personally experienced it. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ezekiel 8:16 and 2 Kings 23:5, 11. Define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What did the prophets write about the influence of sun worship in Israel and Judah? (See also Rom. 1:25).

Apply: Look around at how prevalent Sunday worship is in Christian churches. What should this fact teach us about how pervasive Satan’s deceptions are? Again, as with the state of the dead, what is our only safeguard?

Share: Your friend says his pastor says we don’t have to worry about keeping the Sabbath because in the New Testament we have grace. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ezekiel 20:1-20. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the gist of Ezekiel’s message here, and how does the Sabbath fit in with this call to faithfulness?

Apply: What lessons can we take away for ourselves from what has been written in Ezekiel 20:1-20? (See also 1 Cor. 10:11).

Share: Your friend says that Sunday worship and the immortality of the soul could not possibly be wrong since so many Christians around the world adhere to these doctrines. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 18:4-5. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is God’s appeal to multitudes still in fallen religious organizations?

Apply: See Matthew 15:3, 8-9. How do we keep ourselves safe from false theology and practices?

Share: Can you think of someone who would be encouraged by something in this week’s study? How can you plan to share it with them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

9: A City Called Confusion-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, May 27, 2023.

Main Theme: While the first angel’s message tells us to worship God, the second angel warns us against a false system of worship.

Read in Class: Revelation 14:8 and Revelation 17:1-2. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What solemn announcement does the angel make, and what did Babylon do to warrant such an announcement?

Apply: Both leaders and the common people alike have been negatively influenced by this power. What’s our only protection? (Read Eph. 6:10-18).

Share: Your friend points out that Isaiah 21:9 mentions that Babylon has fallen, and asks what are the parallels of ancient and modern spiritual Babylon? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 18:1-4. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study:  How extensive is Babylon’s influence?

Apply: What role do those who proclaim the three angels’ messages have in being used by God to call “my people,” His people, out of Babylon?

Share: You friend asks, when people come out of Babylon where do they go? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 17:4-6, 14 and Matthew 16:18. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these verses teach us about the nature of this evil system?

Apply: How can we protect ourselves from the subtle influences of Babylon, such as the tendency, easy as it is, to depend upon ourselves and not wholly upon God?

Share: Your friend asks, If God is calling His people out of Babylon who do we warn them about the system of Babylon without condemning God’s people who are still in Babylon? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 12:17, Revelation 18:1-4 and John 10:16. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: When God’s people come out of Babylon, what is the remnant or fold that they come into?

Apply: How are you making sure your church is a safe place for God to bring His flock into? In what ways is your church more safe than Babylon?

Share: Is God leading you to give a friend or family member a call out of Babylon? Can you give that invitation this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

8: The Sabbath at the end-Sabbath School lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class on May 20, 2023.

Main Theme: The Sabbath is an everlasting sign that God is our Creator and Redeemer.

Read in Class: Revelation 14:7, Romans 14:10 and James 2:8-13. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What does judgment imply about issues such as accountability and responsibility? How are the judgment, the commandments of God, and worship linked?

Apply: How does our understanding of Creation influence our behavior? What relationship does heredity and environment have to the choices we make daily? How can we, by God’s grace, overcome character defects that we didn’t choose to have in the first place?

Share: Your friend says that all religions are made up by man as a way to manipulate and control others. The Bible is not real. Religious leaders just made it all up as a way to use guilt and some make believe heaven as a way to manipulate and control people. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: Why would you connect Sabbath worship with this call in Revelation 14:6,7 to worship Him who made the heavens, earth, and everything in them? Also how is the Sabbath linked to both creation and redemption? See Twice Mine.

Apply: How is the Sabbath commandment hinted at in Revelation 14:6, 7, and why is it important to our end-time message? (See Exod. 20:8-11).

Share: Your friend asks why Seventh-day Adventists make such a big deal about the Sabbath? And what’s the big deal if we keep Saturday or Sunday? What do you tell your friend? See Why Does it Matter Which Day we Keep.

Read in Class: Psalm 33:6,9 and Hebrews 11:3. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these clear Bible passages tell us about how God created the world?

Apply:  What significance would the Sabbath have if God did not create the world in six twenty-four hour periods of time? Can one be an evolutionary Creationist and a Seventh-day Adventist? 

Share: Your friend asks if the world was created in six literal days or if it could have been a thousand years for each day? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:1. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: How does keeping the Sabbath point us forward to eternity?

Apply: How can you personally make the Sabbath a foretaste of heaven in your own life and your family?

Share: Can you think of someone you know who you could invite to church next week and spend the entire Sabbath with so you can share the joy of Sabbath keeping?