Category / Sabbath School Teaching Plans

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?

by In Light Of The Cross

10: The Way, the Truth, and the Life-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, December 7, 2024.

Main Theme: This week’s lesson will begin with the purpose of the farewell discourse and its introduction with the significant episode of Jesus’ washing His disciples’ feet. Then it will turn to the “I AM” statement in chapter 14 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”).

Read in Class: John 13:1-20. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What happened here, and why is this story so important? What lessons did Jesus seek to teach?

Apply: What does the Ordinance of Humility teach you about following in the footsteps of Jesus and how to humbly serve others?

Share: Your friend says the ordinance of humility, which we do every quarter is an illustration of how we are to serve each other, but what are some literal ways you have seen church members serving each other besides the ordinance of humility? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 14:1-3. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: In what context did Jesus say these words?

Apply: What does the Cross teach us about the certainty of Christ’s second coming? Without the Second Coming, what good did Jesus’ death do us at the first coming?

Share: Your friend says he is not sure he will make it to heaven. What do you tell your friend, and how might you use John 14:1-3 in the process?

Read in Class: John 1:14, John 1:17 and John 14:5-11. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: How does John tie the concept of truth directly to Jesus? What query did Thomas make about where Jesus was going? How did Jesus respond?

Apply: Why is it so comforting to realize that Jesus is the best revelation we will have here of what God the Father is like?

Share: Your friend says there are many world religions and ways to get to heaven besides just Christianity. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 5:38-40. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is Jesus saying here about the Scriptures?

Apply: Read Luke 24:27. What example did Jesus give us to apply when sharing the truth about Jesus with others?

Share: Your friend asks, “Are there any truths taught in the Bible that science, even in theory, can never teach us?” What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

9: The Source of Life-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, November 30, 2024.

Main Theme: This week continues with the revelation of God as given us in John. We will also more fully explore the flip side of things, in which, despite the powerful evidence for Jesus as the Messiah, some rejected Him. We will study this idea for two reasons: to avoid the same mistake, but also to consider how we might be able to reach out to those in danger of making that mistake, as well.

Read in Class: John 1:29, John 3:16, and john 10;10. Ask the class to define the main ideas in these passages.

Study: Why did Jesus come to this earth? 

Apply: What can we learn from the life of Jesus about the character of the Father? Why is this revelation such good news?

Share: Your friend asks, “How does Jesus saving us from our sins give us a more abundant life?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 6:61-68. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study:  When Jesus asked the disciples if they would leave Him, what was the meaning of Peter’s answer?

Apply: How do we receive eternal life? John 3:15-16; John 5:24; John 6:40; John 6:47; John 8:31; John 12:46; John 20:31.

Share: Your friend says she accepted the gift of eternal life years ago, so she knows no matter what she does today, good or bad, she is already saved. What do you tell your friend? See Once Saved Always Saved.

Read in Class: John 1:12-13. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What are the steps described here about becoming a Christian?

Apply: Read Romans 8:16. What principle about salvation in Jesus is found here?

Share: Your friend says we are either predestined to be the children of God or we are predestined to be lost. We have no choice? What do you tell your friend? See How do we Get Elected by God?

Read in Class: John 3:36 and John 8:24. Have class define the common thread of these passages.

Study: Why do people come into judgment?

Apply: Read Numbers 13:23-33. What made the difference between the two reports the spies brought back about Canaan? How do we make sure we don’t make the same mistake most of the spies made?

Share: Your friend asks, did Satan try to tempt Jesus into disbelief? Is so, how did Jesus meet that temptation? What do you tell your friend? See Matthew 4:1-4.

by In Light Of The Cross

8:Fulfilling Old Testament Prophecies-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, November 23, 2024.

Main Theme: This week we will look at more ways John revealed Jesus as the Messiah, and also, we will look at why some people still continued to reject Him—despite all the powerful reasons affirming Him as the Christ.

Read in Class: John 5:39-40, 46-47. Ask the class to define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What do these verses teach us about Jesus’ attitude toward the authority of Scripture?

Apply: Read John 19:28.What does this passage teach about the authority of Scripture as understood by Jesus and John? What should this tell us about the crucial role all Scripture must have for our faith, as well?

Share: Your friend asks, you, “What are the forces today that either subtly or openly work to undermine our faith in the authority of the Bible?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 1:23, Isaiah 40:3, John 19:36 and Numbers 9:12.

Study: How are these New Testament and Old Testament passages linked? That is, how does the New Testament use these texts to bear witness to Jesus?

Apply: How does the fulfillment of these prophecies strengthen your faith an all Scripture, including scriptures that have not been fulfilled yet?

Share: Your friend says that every religion has its own god, how do we know our God is the real God? How can you even prove Jesus even really existed? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 12:13, Psalm 118:26, John 13:18 and Psalm 41:9.

Study: What do each of these passages from John’s Gospel reveal about Jesus as a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy?

Apply: Read Matthew 24:9. How does the fulfillment of the prophecy about Jesus being betrayed make you feel about the prophecy of what we as Christians will one day face if we are not facing it already? What comfort do you gain by knowing Jesus has already experienced being betrayed?

Share: Your friend asks you what other prophecies about Jesus being the Messiah were predicted in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament? What do you tell your friend? See The Messiah in Scripture.

Read in Class: John 8:12-30. Ask the class to define the main idea of these passages.

Study:  What is the dynamic here between Jesus and these religious leaders? Which texts best explain why many rejected Him?

Apply: What lessons do you draw from Jesus’ exchange with the religious leaders? How can we be “from above” and not “from beneath”—and how can we know the difference?

Share: Your friend mentions there were some obstacles that kept certain people from believing in Jesus in His day. What are some obstacles that kept you from first believing in Jesus? How did you overcome those obstacles? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

7: Blessed Are Those Who Believe-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, November 16, 2024.

Main Theme: Who were some of these people, and why did they testify as they did to the identity of Jesus?

Read in Class: John 12:1-8. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What was the significance of Mary’s actions here? How was this a witness to who Jesus really was?

Apply: Jesus knew what was in the heart of Mary and the heart of Judas. He knows what’s in your heart, as well. What should this truth tell us about the need of Christ as our righteousness, transforming us and covering us, as well?

Share: Your friend says that she wishes she had millions of dollars so she could help the poor. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 18:38 and John 19:4-22. Ask the class to define the main idea of these passages.

Study: How is Pilate’s verdict connected to the theme of John’s Gospel?

Apply: What can we learn from Pilate’s example about the dangers of allowing popular sentiment, even pressure, to keep us from doing what we believe is right?

Share: Your friend asks you if you can think of others in the Bible or life today who have “unwittingly” testified about Jesus? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 20:19-31. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What can we learn from the story of Thomas about faith and doubt? What major mistake did Thomas make?

Apply: Do you only put your faith in what you can feel or see? Can you think of a time when you put your faith in something you could feel or see and were still disappointed?

Share: If someone were to ask you Why do you believe in Jesus? what would you say?

Read in Class: John 17:20-23 and Matthew 24:14. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What are some of the things that we have today that those living at the time of Jesus didn’t have that should help us believe? 

Apply: Name specific people who helped you believe in Jesus, and tell how they helped you believe in Jesus?

Share: Who are you currently helping to believe in Jesus and how are you helping them?

by In Light Of The Cross

6: More Testimonies About Jesus-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, November 9, 2024.

Main Theme: This week’s lesson looks at some of those who witnessed and testified about Jesus. In each of these incidents, some aspects of who Jesus really is are revealed, and together they create a deeper vision of Jesus, the Messiah.

Read in Class: John 1:32-36 and Jon 3:25-36. Ask the class to define the common thread between these passages.

Study: How does John the Baptist compare himself to Jesus? What are some things John Said about the Messiah that may have surprised his listeners?

Apply: How can we learn the lesson of humility before both God and humanity? What can we learn from the example of John here about humility of the soul?

Share: Your friend asks you how you came to realize that Jesus is the Messiah and your personal Savior? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 6:51-71. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What did Jesus say that people had trouble accepting?

Apply: What can we learn from this story about the fact that the majority is usually wrong? Why must we remember this, especially with the aspects of our faith that are unpopular with the ­majority—even the majority of Christians?

Share: Your friend asks, what did Jesus mean by “eat my flesh and drink my blood?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 3:17 and John 5:36-38. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What does the Father say about Jesus, and what does Jesus say about the Father?

Apply: Read 2 Peter 1:16-21. How would we know the truth about Jesus as our atoning sacrifice unless it were revealed to us? Why, then, is knowing the Bible and what it teaches about Jesus so crucial?

Share: Your friend asks, “How can I know if God is well pleased with me?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 7:37-53. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: When Jesus spoke to the Jews attending the Feast of Tabernacles, what was the response of many in the crowd?

Apply: In John 7:47-48, the leaders imply that the people should not believe in Jesus since the leaders don’t believe in Him. How much influence do you allow leaders to have over what you believe? See Truth is not a Popularity Contest.

Share: In your sphere of influence what has been your testimony about Jesus? Is there someone you can share your testimony with this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

5: The Testimony of the Samaritans-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, November 2, 2024.

Main Theme:  John recounts the encounter between Jesus, the woman at the well, and the people of the Samaritan city of Sychar.

Read in Class: John 4:5-15. Ask the class the identify the main idea of this passage.

Study:  How did Jesus use this opportunity to open a dialogue with the woman at the well? How does Jesus begin witnessing to this woman?

Apply: Read John 7:37-38.  What is Jesus saying to us in these verses, and how do we experience what He is promising here?

Share: Your friend asks, “What are some of the taboos in your own culture that could hamper your witness to others? How do we learn to transcend them?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 4:16 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. Ask the class to define the common thread in these passages.

Study: How did Jesus respond to the woman’s request? What truth in Ezekiel 36:25-27 was Jesus trying to bring home to the woman?

Apply: In John 4:16 Jesus gets very personal with the woman to make her aware of her need for healing. How do we react when a friend or maybe even a sermon in church may expose an area where we need healing? Do we become defensive, or do we acknowledge our need for healing?

Share: Your friend asks, you how God has taken away your heart of stone and given you a heart of flesh? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 4:16-26. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What did Jesus do to show this woman that He knew her deepest secrets, and how did she respond? How did Jesus reveal His identity to her?

Apply: What should this story tell us about why the gospel needs to break down the barriers that we humans create with each other?

Share: Your friend mentions how you can see a friend you have not seen in years, and once you get back together it was like you were never apart. Could it be because you had been together “in the Sprit” even while you were apart? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 4:27-42. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What surprising action did the woman take?

Apply: What happened following this encounter, and what does it teach about how the gospel can be spread?

Share: What should this story tell us about how powerful the witness of even one person can be? How powerful a witness are you to what Jesus has done in your life? Who can you share your story with this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

4: Wintesses of Christ as the Messiah-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, Sabbath, October 26, 2024.

Main Theme: This week begins with the powerful witness of John the Baptist. Other witnesses come on the stage as well: Andrew and Simon Peter, Philip and Nathanael, and a most unexpected witness, the Pharisee Nicodemus. But another witness stands back in the shadows (that other disciple with Andrew, in John 1:35; John 1:40)—John himself.

Read in Class: John 1:19-23. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: How did John the Baptist explain his ministry and mission?

Apply: In what way should we, as Seventh-day Adventists, do the same kind of ministry as did John the Baptist? What are the parallels?

Share: Your friend asks you how John the Baptist knew Jesus was the Messiah? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 1:29-39. Ask the class the define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What proclamation does John the Baptist make about Jesus? What image does he use to depict Him, and why is it so significant in understanding who Jesus was and what His mission would be? What did these two disciples do after hearing John’s witness about Jesus?

Apply: Read Mark 10:45, Romans 5:6, and 1 Peter 2:24. How do these verses help us understand the role of Jesus as “the Lamb of God”? Consider deeply Jesus’ title as “the Lamb of God.” What images does it bring to mind, and how does its linkage to the Old Testament sacrificial system help you appreciate the great price of our salvation?

Share: Your friend asks, you, “In what ways has Christ, and your faith in Christ, changed your life? What other changes would you still like to see happen?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 1:43-51. Have the class summarize this passage.

Study: What did Philip’s message reveal about his faith in Jesus already? How did Jesus convince Nathanael of who He was, and what was Nathanael’s response?

Apply: While we don’t hear much about or from Nathaniel other than this brief passage, Jesus spoke very highly of him. What does this tell you about how God regards those of us who live normal everyday lives?

Share: Your friend asks, what Nathaniel meant by “can anything good come out of Nazareth?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 3:1-21. Ask the class the summarize this passage.

Study: How does the testimony of Nicodemus support the theme of the Gospel of John?

Apply: What did Jesus say to Nicodemus to show that He could see right through him?

Share: Your friend asks, “What does it mean to be “born again,” and why would Jesus put such emphasis on it?” What do you tell your friend?