Category / Sabbath School Teaching Plans

by In Light Of The Cross

7: The Problem of Evil-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, February 15, 2025.

Main Theme: Many atheists identify the problem of evil as the reason that they are atheists. But as we will see in this week and in coming weeks, the God of the Bible is entirely good, and we can trust Him—even despite the evil that so infects our fallen world.

Read in Class: Job 38:1-12. Have the class identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does God’s answer to Job shed light on the problem of evil? How much do we know and not know about what might be going on behind the scenes?

Apply: Read Job 42:3.  How does Job’s response illuminate what we should recognize about our own position?

Share: Your friend asks why God has allowed others to suffer if He is a God of love? What experiences of your own can you share about prospering from suffering? Or what experiences can you share from your parenting? For example why would a good parent allow their child to receive a painful shot at the doctor’s office?

Read in Class: Psalm 73 and Isaiah 55:8-9. Ask the class what the common thread of these passafges may be.

Study: How does the psalmist approach the evil and injustice around him? What does he see that puts his understanding in a different perspective?

Apply: How can the Adventist understanding of the judgment and the sanctuary doctrine shed light on the problem of evil? Is it helpful to you to know that, while we have many questions now, the details of history and God’s righteous judgments will be revealed in the end?

Share: Your friend asks, how can we have hope when there is so much corruption everywhere? Everyone is so greedy for money and power? There is no integrity anywhere? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 2:16-17. Ask the class what is the main idea of this passage?

Study: How do these verses display the moral freedom granted to Adam and Eve?

Apply: Sony Corporation has created a robot dog, called Aibo. It will not get sick, not get fleas, not bite, not need shots, and not shed fur. Would you trade your flesh and blood dog for an Aibo? If not, how might your choice help you better understand why God created us as He did, with free will—despite the risks?

Share: Your friend asks, how do you encourage someone who keeps reaping the consequences of their continual bad choices?What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Romans 8:18 and Revelation 21:3-4. Have the class define the common thread in these passages.

Study: How can these texts give us confidence to trust in God’s goodness, despite all the evil in our world?

Apply: How does keeping in mind the fact that God grants us free will help protect us from thinking that everything that happens is God’s will?

Share: Romans 2:4 tells us it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. Can you think of someone who has been the vicitm of their own sin and suffering? What are some practical things you can do for them this week so they can see God’s goodness and be lead to repentance?

by In Light Of The Cross

6: God’s Love of Justice-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com

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

Main Theme: In stark contrast to the false gods of the ancient world, and even to the modern “gods” of today, as well, Yahweh is deeply concerned about evil, suffering, injustice, and oppression—all of which He constantly and unequivocally condemns. And, most important, He will one day eradicate them all, as well.

Read in Class: Psalm 33:5, Psalm 85:10 and Psalm 89:14. Have the class define the main idea of these passages.

Study: How do these texts shed light on God’s concern for justice?

Apply: What are examples, even now, of perverted human justice? How, then, can we not cry out for God’s perfect justice to come one day?

Share: Your friend tells you when he was in Adventist middle school, the pastor’s son would bully him all the time, but the teachers would never do anything about it. When his parents talked to the teachers and even the pastor himself, they all said he was making it up. Your friend asks you were was God’s mercy and justice in all of that? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 92:15, and Psalm 145:9-17. Have the class define the common thread in these passages.

Study: What do these passages teach about the faithfulness and righteousness of God? What do these verses teach about God?

Apply: How do you trust God’s goodness when other people cheat you and seem to get away with it? How do you trust God when others seem to be getting all the breaks but you never seem to?

Share: Your friend asks, “Why does such a good God allow for so much of the evil that is in this world?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 32:14 and Jeremiah 18:4-10. Have the class idenify the main idea of these passages.

Study: What do you make of these descriptions of God’s “relenting”?

Apply: How does God’s repentance and change in judgment relate in any way to restoration? 

Share: Your friend asks, if God never changes then why does He relent or seem to change His mind? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 5:43-48. Have the class identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this teach about God’s amazing love? How should we act toward others in light of this teaching of Jesus?

Apply: Isaiah 25:1 proclaims, “O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (NKJV). How can we learn to praise God, even in bad times? In what ways can your life itself be an offering of praise to God in a way that furthers justice in your sphere of influence?

Share: Romans 2:4 says it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. Is there anything from this week’s lesson you can share with someone to help them see the goodness of God this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

5: The Wrath of Divine Love-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, February 1, 2025.

Main Theme: God’s anger is always His righteous and loving response against evil and injustice. Divine wrath is righteous indignation motivated by perfect goodness and love, and it seeks the flourishing of all creation. God’s wrath is simply the appropriate response of love to evil and injustice. Accordingly, evil provokes God to passion in favor of the victims of evil and against its perpetrators. Divine wrath, then, is another expression of divine love.

Read in Class: Psalm 78:36-39, Jonah 4:1-11, and Matthew 10:8.. Define the main idea in these passages.

Study: Compare God’s response to man’s rebellion with Jonah’s response. How do these responses differ?

Apply: Have you ever failed to show mercy or grace to someone who has wronged you? How can you best remember what God has done for you so that you become more gracious to others in response to the abundant grace God has shown you? And, how do we do this, show mercy and grace, but without giving license to sin or enabling abuse or oppression?

Share: You friend says, just like with Nineveh, God may get angry, but since He is love He never destroys. What do you tell your friend? See Why I Believe God Kills Because He is Love.

Read in Class: Matthew 21:12-13, and John 2:14-15. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What does Jesus’ reaction to the way the temple was being used tell us about God’s getting angry at evil? What does this tell us about what it might mean to be like Jesus?

Apply: How can we be careful not to seek to justify selfish anger as “righteous indignation”? Why is that so easy to do, and how can we protect ourselves from that subtle but real trap?

Share: Your friend says, People say it is a sin to be angry but the Bible says Jesus got angry. See Mark 3:5. Your friend asks, is it possible to be angry without sinning? What do you tell your friend? See Ephesians 4:26.

Read in Class: Ezra 5:12, Jeremiah 51:24-25, 44, 2 Chronicles 36:16. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What does this explain about the judgment that came upon Jerusalem via the Babylonians?

Apply: How does the fact that God does not want to bring judgment against anyone affect your understanding of divine anger and wrath? If God is slow to anger, should we not be more patient and longsuffering with those around us? How can we do so while also protecting and caring for the victims of wrongdoing?

Share: Your friend asks, If God allowed wicked Babylon to hurt the Jews in order to eventually save them and bring them back, then could it be that God uses our enemies to humble us? Are all our misfortunes at the hand of an enemy? Or could it actually be God trying to get us to repent? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Proverbs 20:22 and Romans 12:17-21. Define the main idea of these passages.

Study: How might these passages help us discern the difference between righteous indignation and human revenge?

Apply: In what way has Christ’s atonement upheld justice while also delivering us from wrath? Recognizing that provision had been made for you, despite your shortcomings, how much more gracious should you be to others?

Share: While wrath may be a desperate measure God in His divine love will use to bring us to repentance, Romans 2:4 says its the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. How can you share the goodness of God with someone this week who needs to be brought to repentance?

by In Light Of The Cross

4: God is Passionate and Compassionate-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class January 25, 2025.

Main Theme: there are beautiful truths to be garnered from the realization that God’s love for us is a deeply emotional love, but always with the caveat that though God’s love (emotional or otherwise) is perfect, it should not be thought of as identical to emotions as humans experience them.

Read in Class: Psalm 103:13, Isaiah 49:15, and Jeremiah 31:20. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What do these depictions convey about the nature and depth of God’s compassion?

Apply: How have you demonstrated God’s love to a son or daughter or other family member, and how has someone in your family demonstrated God’s love to you?

Share: Your friend says that her parents were not loving. How might you be able to help your friend see the compassion of God, even though her parents were unloving?

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

Study: How does the imagery in these verses bring to life the way God loves and cares for His people?

Apply: Anyone who has ever been a parent knows what the lesson is talking about. No other earthly love begins to compare. How does this help us understand the reality of God’s love for us, and what comfort can, and should, we draw from this understanding?

Share: Your friend says its hard to know when to “shake the dust off our feet” (See Matthew 10:14) when you are compassionately and passionately working with a stubborn and wayward soul. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 9:36, Matthew 23:37 and Mark 1:41. Have the class identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: How do these verses shed light on the way Christ was moved by the plight of people?

Apply: There is no greater example of God’s great compassionate love for us than Jesus Himself—who gave Himself for us in the ultimate demonstration of love. Yet, Christ is not only the perfect image of God. He is also the perfect model of humanity. How can we model our lives after the life of Christ, focusing on the felt needs of others, and, thus, not merely preaching God’s love but showing it in tangible ways?

Share: Your friend says he has been paying the electric bill for his son’s family because his son keeps wasting his money on other things. Your friend wants to be compassionate towards his grandchildren who he does not want to freeze to death, but does not want to keep enabling the son to waste money. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study:  In what ways does this passage call us to reflect God’s compassionate and amazing love in our relationships with others?

Apply: Why is a death to self and to the selfishness and corruption of our natural hearts the only way to reveal this kind of love? What are the choices that we can make in order to be able to die this death to self?

Share: Your friend points out that while 1 Corinthians 13:4 says love does not envy or get jealous, that Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:2 that he has a godly jealousy. Your friend asks how do you reconcile having a godly jealousy with love never being jealous? What do you tell your friend? See Godly Passion and Jealousy.

by In Light Of The Cross

3: To be Pleasing to God-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath , January 18, 2025.

Main Theme: By God’s grace we can be pleasing to God.

Read in Class: Luke 15:11-32. Have the class summarize this story.

Study: What does the parable of the prodigal son reveal about God’s compassion and love? What warning does it provide for those who, like the other son, remained home?

Apply: Interesting is the reaction of the other son. Why was this reaction such a human reaction, based at least in part on fairness, and so understandable, as well? What, however, does his part of the story teach us about how human concepts of fairness don’t capture the depth of the gospel or of God’s love for us?

Share: Your friend says young people will never appreciate being in the church until they have first gone out into the world and experienced sin. After all, people who have stayed in the church all their lives don’t have any amazing conversation stories to share. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Zephaniah 3:17 and Ephesians 5:25-28. Ask the class what the common thread is in these passages.

Study: How does Zephaniah 3:17 shed light on the parable of the prodigal son? What does Ephesians 5:25-28 say about the love we should display as well?

Apply: When you hear that someone who has left the church has returned, what is your first reaction? Rejoicing and celebrating or skepticism? Exactly how should we celebratee when soneone returns to the church? Throw a party like the prodigal son’s father?

Share: Your friend is very upset because her church is having a baby shower for a 15 year-old unwed mother. The 15 year-old girl is sorry and wants to come back God and raise her child in the church, but really? Why should the church reward this girl’s sinful behavior with a shower? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Isaiah 43:4, Psalm 149:4, and Proverbs 15:8-9. Ask the class what these passages are saying?

Study: What do these passages tell us about God taking delight in His people?

Apply: Think about how closely tied heaven and earth must be that God, the Creator of the universe, can be so intimately involved, even emotionally, with us. What hope should this amazing idea give you, especially if you are going through a hard time?

Share: Your friend says he hears people in the church talking bad about the youth and how worldly they dress and act. Everyone seems disappointed in them. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Romans 8:1 and Romans 5:8. Ask the class what the main idea is of these passages.

Study: What do these texts teach about our standing before God?

Apply: Read 1 Peter 2:4-6 and compare it with Hebrews 11:6. What does this tell us about how we can be pleasing to God?

Share: Your friend asks how he can know if he is pleasing God or not? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

2: Covenanted Love-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, January 11, 2025.

Main Theme: We must respond to God’s love in order for His love to be relational.

Read in Class: 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4, and Ezekiel 33:11. Ask the class to identify the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these passages teach us about God’s desire to save everyone?

Apply: How should we show our love and respect for every human being?

Share: Your friend asks, if God’s love is unconditional then why will some people be lost?

Read in Class: Deuteronomy 7:6-9. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What do these verses teach about the relationship between God making covenants and God’s lovingkindness?

Apply: What are ways that you can constantly keep the reality of God’s love in your thoughts? Why is it important to do that?

Share: Your friend says a certain man keeps coming by the church asking for money to buy food for his family, but only uses it for his drug addiction. How can we help free people from their bondage and addictions when they won’t even help themselves? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 1 John 4:7-20. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this tell us about the priority of God’s love?

Apply: Think about what you have been forgiven and what it cost you to be forgiven by Jesus. What should this tell you about forgiving others?

Share: Your friend says she can never forgive her aunt for what she did to her and her family. It is beyond forgivable. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 15:12, 1 John 3:16, and 1 John 4:7-12. Ask the class to identify the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these passages teach about the relationship between God’s love, our love for God, and love for others?

Apply: What specific steps can you take to love God by loving others? What could you do today and in the coming days to show people God’s love and (eventually) invite them to enjoy what it means to have the promise of eternal life?

Share: Can you think of someone in your community who needs to be shown unconditional love? How can you show them God’s love this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

1: God Loves Freely-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, January 4, 2025.

Main Theme: God loves us freely, desire our love in return.

Read in Class: Exodus 33:15-22. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this passage, especially verse 19, reveal about God’s will and love?

Apply: In what ways has God continued to reveal and manifest His love to you—even beyond any reasonable expectations?

Share: Your friend says that Exodus 33:19 sounds like predestination to them. What do you tell your friend? Hint: See Ephesians 1:4 and 1 Timothy 2:4.

Read in Class: Hosea 14:1-4 and John 17:24. Ask the class what the main ideas of these passages are?

Study: What do these verses reveal about God’s steadfast love for His people, now and before the world existed?

Apply: What does the fact that God continues to bestow love on this world, despite its fallenness and evil, tell us about His love and character? How should this truth cause us to love Him in return?

Share: Your friend says since God’s love is unconditional and everlasting, everyone will be saved no matter what. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 22:1-14. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the meaning of this parable?

Apply: What about your life reveals that you have accepted the wedding invitation and have come appropriately clothed?

Share: Your friend asks, “What does it mean that Many are called but few are chosen?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 10:17-18 and Galatians 2:20. Have the class identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What’s the message to us here in these texts?

Apply: How does your life show that you truly appreciate God’s self-sacrificing love?

Share: Your friend asks if you know of anyone who has laid down their life for a friend? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

13: Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, December 28, 2024.

Main Theme: In this, our last week in John, we will look at some of this Gospel’s key points, which can help us move beyond the mere head knowledge of Jesus to, instead, knowing Him better and more closely abiding in Him and in His Word.

Read in Class: John 21:1-25. Have the class define the main idea of this chapter.

Study: What crucial truths are revealed here, especially about God’s grace—and human humility?

Apply: Why is humility so key in anyone seeking to know the Lord? In light of the Cross, what do any of us have to be proud of?

Share: Your friend points out that people jumped to the wrong conclusion about what Jesus meant in John 21:20-23. Your friend asks why people sometimes misunderstood Jesus’ words. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 1:4-10 and John 8:12. Ask the class to define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What great contrast is present here, and why is this contrast so foundational to understanding truth?

Apply: Read John 8:42-44.  How does Jesus describe the false foundation on which the religious leaders of Israel had based their faith?

Share: Your friend asks you, “How do you respond to truths that “step on your toes,” as opposed to how you should respond to those truths?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 4:46-54. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What problem brought the official to Jesus, and what was the real underlying issue here?

Apply: What is the relationship between our love for Jesus and obedience? Why is any kind of “obedience” not based on love in danger of being legalism?

Share: Your friend asks you if you believe in Jesus because you have seen signs and miracles, or because of what the Bible says about Jesus. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 12:32 and John 15:1-11. Ask the class if there is a common thread in these two passages.

Study: What is it that draws people into a relationship with Jesus?

Apply: What is the secret of spiritual growth and health?

Share: What are some fresh and new revelations you have gained studying this quarter’s lesson, “Themes in the Gospel of John?”

by In Light Of The Cross

12: The Hour of Glory: The Cross and Resurrection-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, December 21, 2024.

Main Theme:  John presents the Cross as the enthronement of Jesus, particularly tied to the idea of the hour, which is referred to numerous times throughout the book (John 7:30; John 8:20; John 12:27). This idea of enthronement is an ironic picture since crucifixion was the most ignominious and shameful way to die that the Romans used. This contrast points to the deeply ironic depiction that John presents: Jesus is dying in shame, but it is, at the same time, His glorious enthronement as the Savior.

Read in Class: John 18:33-19:5. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What did Pilate and Jesus talk about? How did Pilate try to persuade the people to ask for Jesus’ release?

Apply: How scary—a pagan ruler wants to release Jesus while the spiritual leaders of the nation, who should have recognized Him, wanted Him crucified instead! What lessons can we take from this for ourselves?

Share: Your friend asks you, “how do you understand the idea of Jesus as the Truth?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 19:25-30. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is?

Study: What touching scene regarding Jesus’ mother happened at the cross?

Apply: When Jesus said, “It is finished,” what does that mean for each of us? What was finished, and how does that apply to our lives?

Share: Your pastor friend says he wishes he had time to help his ailing mother, but his ministry just keep him so busy that he can’t be there for his mother. What do you tell your pastor friend?

Read in Class: John 20:1-10. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What was the meaning of the folded face cloth?

Apply: What is the importance to us about what is depicted in these verses?

Share: Your friend asks, “when Jesus was resurrected wouldn’t it have been more advantageous for Him to have gone at once to appear before all the leaders back in Jerusalem, instead of just appearing first to a woman who had been fighting addictions?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 20:11-18. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is?

Study: What happened here that shows why Mary Magdalene still did not understand the meaning of the empty tomb? What changed everything for Mary?

Apply: Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. According to Paul, what good is our Christian faith if Christ had not been raised from the dead?

Share: Your friend asks, how you know for sure that Jesus was really resurrected? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

11: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, December 14, 2024.

Main Theme: This week’s lesson looks at how the Gospel of John presents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but now within the context of the farewell discourse (John 13:1-17:26).

Read in Class: Genesis 3:7-9, John 3:16-17, and 2 Corinthians 5:19. Have class define common thread in these passages.

Study: How does this reveal the breach that sin caused, and what does it mean that it was God seeking them out, not vice versa?

Apply: These verses present the Father in close connection with Jesus Christ, His Son. The Father has intimate contact with our world and a deep investment in our salvation. What does this truth teach us about God’s love for us?

Share: Your friend says, “Jesus made the greatest sacrifice to come and die for us while all the Father had to do was watch from heaven.” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 5:19, John 7:16, John 14:10,23 and John 17:3. Have the class define the common thread in these passages.

Study: What do the following texts teach us about the relationship between Jesus and the Father? 

Apply: How would your life be changed if your thoughts and actions were fully an expression of God’s will for your life? That is, how can we better live out what we know from Jesus is God’s will for our lives?

Share: Your friend asks how do we get to know God now that Jesus is up in heaven and no longer with us? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 1:10-13, John 3:5-8, John 14:26 and John 16:13. Have class define the commin thread in these passages.

Study: What do these passages teach us about the importance of the Holy Spirit for conversion?

Apply: How have you seen the Holy Spirit working in your conversion process?

Share: Your friend says that the Holy Spirit convicted her that the Sabbath is no longer binding. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 17:1-26. Have the class define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What words or phrases in this chapter express the desire of Jesus for a close relationship of love between Himself, the Father, and His disciples?

Apply: How can you better reflect the love of God, such as exists between Jesus and the Father, in your own life?

Share: Your friend asks how your church family reflects the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What do you tell your friend?