Category / Sabbath School Teaching Plans

by In Light Of The Cross

7:The Bread and Water of Life-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, 16 August 2025.

Main Theme: Along the journey to Canaan, God had to teach Israel over and over to trust and obey.

Read in Class: Exodus 15:22-27. Ask the class to identify the main idea in this passage.

Study: After crossing the Red Sea, what was the background to the first miracle performed?

Apply: What trials and struggles have you brought upon yourself? What comfort can you get in knowing that God will still work on your behalf if you cooperate with Him?

Share: Your friend asks, what was the significance of the branch that made the water sweet? What do you tell your friend? Hint: See A Tree Makes a Bitter Life Sweet Again.

Read in Class: Exodus 16:1-15, 26, 35. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What was the cause of the Israelites’ grumbling, and what followed?

Apply: People like to eat. We were created to like to eat. The rich abundance of food, growing out of the ground (our original diet), reveals not only that God wants us to eat, but that we are to like what we eat, too. How, though, can this wonderful gift, that of food (and our liking to eat it), be abused?

Share: Your friend says that her pastor told her the sabbath was never observed by God’s people until the law was given on Mt. Sinai. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 18:13-18, 21. 25-26. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What major steps in the history of the nation took place here?

Apply: Moses could have just brushed off the old man and told him to mind his own business. He didn’t. What important lessons can we learn from his willingness to listen to this person who wasn’t even a Hebrew?

Share: Your friend, who is the head elder of his church, says he would like to delegate more of his responsibilities to others, but is afraid others may not do as good a job as he does, or may do things totally different from what he is used to. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 10:11, John 6:31-35, 51. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: What reason does Paul give for these events to have been recorded? What truths are revealed here for us as Christians?

Apply: What symbols in the story of Moses point us to Christ? How do these symbols help us in our relationship with Christ?

Share: Your friend asks you how the story of Moses helps us share the plan of salvation. What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

6: Through The Red Sea-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, August 9, 2025.

Main Theme: The excellent and miraculous ways God provided for and delivered Israel foreshadow how God will deliver us in the last days, and how He already delivered us from sin at the cross.

Read in Class: Exodus 12:31-36. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What strange request does Pharaoh make and why, even as he gives permission for them all to leave?

Apply: How often have we “repented” of actions only because of their consequences and not because those acts were themselves wrong? Why is that not true repentance? How can we learn to be sorry for the sins that, in a sense, we “get away with,” at least in the short term?

Share: Your friend notes that the passage we just read says the Lord caused Israel to gain favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Does this mean in the last days, or even during the time of trouble, God will cause God’s people to gain the favor from some of those who are in the world? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 13:17-14:12. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: How did God guide the Israelites when they left Egypt, and what happened next?

Apply: Think of the last time you faced a terrible situation. What was your first reaction: faith in God or a lack of faith? What lessons should you have learned from that situation that could help you the next time another comes (and come it will)?

Share: Your friend asks, Why do people have such a hard time believing in God even after all He has done for them? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 14:13-31. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Despite their lack of faith, what did God do for the children of Israel?

Apply: In the good times, do we thank God enough for His care and protection? What can we do to keep from panicking like Israel did in this passage?

Share: Your friend asks, when trials and tribulations come, how are we supposed to know when to act and when to be still? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 15:1-21. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the content of Moses’ song?

Apply: What is the link between the Song of Moses and the song of the Lamb? See Revelation 15:1-4.

Share: Your friend asks, Why are Moses and Miriam singing after the Egyptians have been destroyed? Shouldn’t they be sad instead? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

5: Passover-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, August 2, 2025.

Main Theme: The Passover not only led to Israel’s freedom from Egyptian bondage but was also a shadow of our freedom from the bondage of sin.

Read in Class: Exodus 11:1-10. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What warning did God give before executing judgment upon Egypt?

Apply: If we can’t get the perfect balance (which we can’t), why is it better to err on the side of mercy instead of justice? Or is it?

Share: Your friend says that Romans 2:4 tells us it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. So where in all of these plagues did Pharaoh see God’s goodness, so he could be led to repentance? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 12:1-23. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What specific instructions does God give to Moses and Aaron before Israel leaves Egypt? What was the Lord going to do for them when the final plague came? What does all this symbolize?

Apply: What role does blood play in the celebration of this new festival? What does the fact that it took the blood of Jesus, God Himself, to atone for sin teach us about how bad sin really is?

Share: Your friend asks, why God wanted to lamb to be in the home 4 days before killing it? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 12:24-28. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What important point was being made here?

Apply: In what ways did retelling the story of the Passover benefit the speaker as well as the hearer? How does it help us to share sacred stories with others?

Share: What amazing sacred stories or experiences do you or your family enjoy sharing over and over again?

Read in Class: Exodus 12:29-30. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Why did God focus on the firstborn? (See also Heb. 11:28.)

Apply: In what ways have you suffered from others’ sins? Or what are ways others have suffered from your sins? What is our only hope?

Share: You friend asks, where do we see the good news of the Gospel in all these plagues, especially the last one? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

3: Rough Start-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, July 19, 2025.

Main Theme: Moses and the command to lead God’s people out of Egypt—about as clear a call from God as anyone could have. Indeed, it included miracles, as well as God Himself speaking directly to Moses and letting him know exactly what He wanted Moses to do. How much easier, then, could it have been for Moses, knowing that he had been called by God and even given a specific task?

Read in Class: Exodus 5:5-23. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What were the immediate results of Moses and Aaron’s first recorded encounter with Pharaoh? Put yourself in the place of these men as they confronted Moses and Aaron. Why would they say what they did?

Apply: What are some better ways you and others might be able to deal with local church leaders when disagreements arise, as they inevitably do?

Share: Can you share an experience you had where things did not get off to a great start but ended wonderfully?

Read in Class: Exodus 5:22-6:8. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is God’s response to Moses, and what important theological truths are revealed here?

Apply: What passages of Scripture give you hope when things seem to be going rough?

Share: Your friend asks, “What other Bible characters have cried out in complaint before God, and with good reasons? Why is it OK, at times, to pour out your soul to God and even complain about your situation? Why, though, must you always do it in faith and in trust?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 6:9-13. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What happened next, and what lessons can we take from this story about times of disappointment and struggle in our lives?

Apply: Think through the phrase, “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God” (Exod. 6:7, NKJV). Though the context was corporate, how does this apply to each one of us individually, and how should this relationship be manifested in our daily lives? (See also 2 Cor. 6:16.)

Share: How do you respond when people don’t seem to be listening to you, especially when what you have to say is very important?

Read in Class: Exodus 6:28-7:7. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: How does the Lord deal with Moses’ objection?

Apply: Moses ran out of excuses for not following what God had called him to do. What excuses might we use to try to get out of what we know God wants us to do?

Share: Your friend asks what it means that Moses was a God to Pharaoh? What do you tell your friend? How might this concept be applied today?

by In Light Of The Cross

2: The Burning Bush-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, July 12, 2025.

Main Theme: You may recall instances when you had specific goals, but God redirected those plans. We can indeed be helpful to God in many ways, but following God’s call in our lives and doing what He leads us to do is undoubtedly the path to the most satisfying existence. It might not always be easy, and it wasn’t easy for Moses, but how foolish to go our own way when God is calling us in another direction.

Read in Class: Exodus 3:1-6. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study: What significance can be found in the fact that the Lord introduced Himself to Moses as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”?

Apply: Moses needed 80 years before God deemed him ready for his task. What might this truth teach us about patience?

Share: Can you share an experience where your plans seemed to be derailed, but looking back, you see God was just preparing you for something better?

Read in Class: Exodus 3:7-12. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study: How did God explain to Moses why He wanted to intervene on behalf of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt?

Apply: Why is humility, and a sense of our own “unworthiness,” so important for anyone who seeks to follow the Lord and do anything for Him?

Share: Can you share a time when God called you to do something you did not feel qualified to do?

Read in Class: Exodus 3:13-22. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study:  Why did Moses want to know God’s name, and what is the significance of His name?

Apply: In what ways in your own life have you experienced the closeness and intimacy with Yahweh that He seeks to have with all who are surrendered to Him?

Share: What are some of the names of God the Father or God the Son that comfort you the most, and why?

Read in Class: Exodus 4:1-18. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study: What set of signs did God give to Moses to perform in order to strengthen his position as God’s messenger?

Apply: How does the Lord respond to Moses, and what lessons can we take from that for ourselves, in whatever situation we believe God calls us to?

Share: What signs has God given you in your life that have strengthened your faith?

by In Light Of The Cross

1: Oppression: The Background and the Birth of Moses-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, Sabbath, July 5, 2025.

Main Theme: In the midst of the turmoil and darkness, if our eyes are fixed on God, we can recognize His presence, care, and help as He guides us to the eternal “Promised Land.”

Read in Class: Exodus 1:1-11. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What crucial truth is found here? What was the situation of the Israelites at the time of the Exodus?

Apply: A new king arose who knew not Joseph. What does this account tell us about how we should never take circumstances, especially good ones, for granted?

Share: Your friend asks you why the Egyptians thought the Hebrews would rise up and be their enemies instead of their allies. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 1:9-21. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What key role did the faithful midwives play, and why are they remembered in history?

Apply: The midwives not only knew what the right action was to take, they took it. What’s the obvious message here for us?

Share: Your friend says that the midwives were not exactly being honest with Pharaoh about why they were not destroying the baby boys. How could God bless them while they were not being totally honest? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 2:1-10. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What role did God’s providence and protection play in Moses’ birth story?

Apply: How much are you learning that is ultimately useless for what really matters?

Share: Your friend asks, Why did God allow Moses to become the princess’s child? Did that help prepare him to lead Israel, or was it just a detour and distraction? What do you tell your friend? Hint: See Acts 7:22.

Read in Class: Exodus 2:11-25. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What events quickly transpired to change the entire direction of Moses’ life? What lessons can we learn from this story?

Apply: Was it God’s plan that Moses kill the Egyptian? If not, what does this story teach us about how God can overrule in any situation and use it for His own purposes? How does Romans 8:28 help us understand this important truth?

Share: Your friend asks how God was able to use Moses’ hotheaded act of killing the Egyptian. Suppose he hadn’t done it? Would that have meant the Hebrews would not have eventually escaped from Egypt? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

13: Images of the End-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, June 28, 2025.

Main Theme: This week will be our final examination of accounts that help clarify our understanding of last-day events. This time, we will look at the mission of Jonah to Nineveh, the fall of Babylon, and the rise of Cyrus, the Persian king who liberated God’s people and enabled them to return to the land of promise.

Read in Class: Matthew 12:38-42. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Which parts of the story of Jonah does Jesus refer to as He addresses the scribes and Pharisees? What lessons about the judgment are found in His statement?

Apply: How much of Jonah do you find in yourself? How can you move beyond this wrong attitude?

Share: Your friend says the sign of Jonah is confusing because Jesus was not in the grave for three full days. What do you tell your friend? For a hint, see: Is the Sign of Jonah Fuzzy Math? The answer may not be what you think it is.

Read in Class: Jonah 3:5-10. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is.

Study: Why was this prophecy, then, not fulfilled?

Apply: What choices are you making now that could help determine what choices you will make when the issue of worshiping God or the image breaks upon the world?

Share: Your friend asks you if all prophecies are conditional. If they are not all conditional, how do we know which ones are conditional and which ones are not? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Daniel 5:1-31. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is.

Study: What important spiritual messages can we take from this account? What ultimately tripped up Belshazzar?

Apply: The king had sufficient head knowledge to recognize Daniel’s God as the true God, but the problem lay in his heart. How can we ensure that, as Adventists, with all the knowledge we possess, we don’t let it go to waste? How can we ensure that our hearts are changed and we are not merely puffed up with knowledge?

Share: Your friend says that the king was really belittling even God when he used the sacred utensils, and then also turned around and insulted the prophet Daniel by merely referring to him as a captive slave, instead of the distinguished statesman he had become. Your friend asks you how you handle it whenever you are belittled or insulted. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is.

Study:  In what ways does the story of Cyrus parallel that of Nebuchadnezzar? In what ways does it differ? What is the significance of the decree? After all, how did it impact the whole first coming of Jesus centuries later?

Apply: How fascinating that God would use a pagan king in such a marked manner to do His will. That is, even despite how things appear to us on the outside, how can we learn the truth that, long term, the Lord is going to bring about end-time events as prophesied?

Share: As we finish this quarter’s lesson, what are some new things you have found in this quarter’s lessons that you would like to share with others?

by In Light Of The Cross

12: Precursors- Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, June 21, 2025.

Main Theme: Over and over, Jesus said things like “Do not fear,” and “Why do your thoughts trouble you?” It is important to remember that the focus of prophecy is Christ, and, as such, we must be able to find the same counsel throughout the scenes portrayed in earth’s closing moments. “ ‘Let not your heart be troubled,’ ” He taught His disciples, “ ‘you believe in God, believe also in Me’ ” (John 14:1, NKJV).

In other words, yes, last-day events will be difficult and trying for those who seek to stay faithful to God. But ultimately, we should view these events with hope, not fear.

Read in Class: Daniel 2:31-45. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What was Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, and how did Daniel interpret it?

Apply: How does Daniel 2 prove to us that not only does God know the future but that He is, ultimately, in charge of it?

Share: Your friend asks if God still speaks to us through dreams. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Daniel 3:-12, 17-18. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What significance can be found in the fact that the statue was all gold and that the king demanded that it be worshiped? What does this teach us about faith and what, at times, it could demand of us?

Apply: How can we avoid the easy rationalizations that present us with opportunities to compromise on our faith? What does this text say that addresses a similar temptation: “ ‘He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much’ ” (Luke 16:10, NKJV)?

Share: Your friend says that if you live in a country that has freedom of religion, you don’t have to ever worry about that freedom being taken away. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 13:11-17, Revelation 14:9-12, and Matthew 12:9-14. Ask the class to find the common thread in these passages.

Study: What contrast is present here that pits the commandments of God against the commandments of men?

Apply: Even though we have yet to face the mark of the beast, in what ways has your faith already been tested, and how do those tests increase your faith for the greater tests to come?

Share: Your friend tells you that God would never test our loyalty over something as trivial as a day of worship, saying it doesn’t matter which day we keep holy, as long as we keep at least one day holy. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Acts 12:1-17. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What elements of this story might foreshadow last-day events?

Apply: Some believers were spared, others were killed. As we approach the end time, the same thing will happen. Even Peter, though spared then, eventually died for his faith. Jesus Himself even told him how: “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me’ ” (John 21:18-19, NKJV).

Notice that Jesus, after telling Peter how he would die, nevertheless still says to him, “ ‘Follow me.’ ” What should this tell us about why even the threat of death should not keep us from following the Lord?

Share: Can you think of someone whose faith needs to be strengthened? Can you share something from this week’s lesson to encourage them to stand firm in their faith for Christ?

by In Light Of The Cross

11: Ruth and Esther-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, June 14, 2025.

Main Theme: In prophecy, of course, a woman is a powerful symbol for God’s church, shedding much light on how God regards His people. Let’s look at the biblical accounts of these two women, whose life circumstances have been immortalized in the Word of God, and seek to draw whatever lessons we can from their experiences.

Read in Class: Ruth 2:5-20. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Why is this such a pivotal moment in the story? Why do you think Naomi’s discovery of the benefactor’s identity was such good news?

Apply: Try to wrap your mind around not only the Creator’s becoming part of His own creation but then dying for it. How should this astonishing truth impact how we view our own existence?

Share: Your friend says things worked out great for Ruth, but what about people who go through famines and hardships, who don’t have anyone to help them? What about them? What do you tell your friend? For ideas, see Isaiah 59:16.

Read in Class: Esther 3:1-14, Revelation 12:14-17, and Revelation 13:15. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: How is John’s description of God’s remnant church like Haman’s description of God’s people?

Apply: Think about the “small” things that test your faith now. If you compromise on them, the “small things,” how will you do when the big test comes?

Share: Your friend says that the only job she has is mopping the floors at a school. She says she will never hold an essential position like Esther’s, so how does that story apply to her? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Esther 4:13-14, 5:1-3, and 9:20-28. Ask the class to identify the main idea in this story.

Study: What lessons can we draw from these passages regarding our plight in the closing moments of Earth’s history?

Apply: Things worked out well, at least in this story, for God’s people. It doesn’t always happen that way, though, does it? Why, then, must we always take a long-term view of things to maintain the hope that we have in Christ?

Share: Your friend says that while God’s people were saved in this story, it does not happen every time. James and John the Baptist were beheaded. Stephen was stoned to death. What good did this Bible story do them? What do you tell your friend? See Revelation 2:10.

Read in Class: Ruth 1:1-5. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: What hardships fell on Naomi and Ruth, and what caused them? How does this reflect the situation that the entire human race now faces?

Apply: Even after six thousand years of sin and death, how does the earth still reveal the wonders of God’s love and creative power? 

Share: Can you think of someone who may be encouraged by something in this week’s lesson? Tell the class how you plan to share it with them this week.

“If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, we shall have something to tell.” –Ellen White, Steps to Christ, Page 78.

by In Light Of The Cross

10: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, June 7, 2025.

Main Theme: We will examine several key stories to determine what insights they may offer regarding events such as the Second Coming, the investigative judgment, the final crisis, and more. And, through it all, we find Christ as the center, for He must be the foundation as well as the end goal of all our prophetic endeavors.

Read in Class: Revelation 6:12-17. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: Consider the details of these people’s response to seeing last-day events suddenly play out. What do you notice about their response?

Apply: Read Matthew 24:36-44. How may we apply the story of Noah so we will be ready when Jesus comes?

Share: Your friend says it’s hard to stay ready for Jesus’ second coming when it seems like it’s taking Him forever to come. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 6:1-8 and Matthew 24:37-39. Ask the class to share the common thread in these passages.

Study: What were the moral conditions that led to the flood? What parallels do we see between the two time periods?

Apply: How can we learn not to be discouraged if our efforts don’t seem to be bearing much fruit for the moment? 

Share: Your friend says the world is as evil now as it was right before the flood. So why hasn’t Jesus come yet to destroy the world? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 2 Peter 2:4-11, Jude 1:5-8, and Ezekiel 16:46-50. Ask the class to define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What were the moral conditions that led to the destruction of these cities, and what parallels exist today, as well?

Apply: As the church, do we need to apply these warnings to ourselves as well as the world? How can we ensure that we are not complicit in the same sins the world is committing?

Share: Your friend asks, if we as Christians have more light than the wicked, does that mean we will be judged more sternly? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Read in Class: Genesis 18:20-32, Daniel 7:13-14, 27. Ask the class to define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What does this reveal about the character of God and the way He plans to deal with evil on our planet? What is the primary focus of the judgment? What is the verdict rendered at the end of the process? What does this tell us about the plan of salvation?

Apply: Imagine standing before our holy God with all your secrets exposed. What’s your only hope at that time of judgment?

Share: Your friend says it’s so obvious why the wicked are lost, why do we need to judge the evil during the thousand years? What do you tell your friend?