Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, Sabbath, November 5, 2022.

Main Theme: Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. Desire of Ages, page 25

Read in Class: Revelation 13:8, Acts 2:23, 1 Peter 1:19-20 and Titus 1:2. Discuss the main thread of these passages.

Study: How could Christ be considered as “slain from the foundation of the world” (NKJV)? What do these verses teach us about how long ago the plan of salvation, which centered on Christ’s death, had been in place?

Apply: Animal sacrifices are gruesome and bloody — that is true. But why is this gruesomeness and bloodiness precisely the point, teaching us about Christ’s death in our place and what the terrible cost of sin was?

Share: Your friend says that while Jesus suffered terrible physical agony on the cross, so did every one crucified on a cross back them. What made Jesus’ suffering so much worse? What do you tell your friend? See The God-forsaken God.

Read in Class: Matthew 16:21-23, Matthew 17:22-23, Luke 18:31-34. What is the common thread of these passages?

Study: What were the reactions of the disciples to Jesus’ predictions of His own sufferings and death, and what should their reactions teach us about the dangers of misunderstanding Scripture?

Apply: People, especially God’s chosen people, had false concepts regarding the first coming of the Messiah. What are some of the false concepts out there today regarding the second coming of Jesus?

Share: Your friend asks you, “How could Jesus possibly consider these men his disciples when they misunderstood His clear teachings?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 19:17-30. What is the main theme of this passage?

Study: What is the crucial message to us in Jesus’ statement, “It is finished?”

Apply: Think about how bad sin must be that it took the death of Christ to atone for it. What should this truth teach us about how useless our works are for attaining merit before God? After all, what can we do to add to what Christ has already done for us? 

Share: Your friend says that he does not need to overcome sin because Jesus said, “It is finished.” Jesus has already done all the work to save him, so he does not need to obey or overcome sin? What do you tell your friend? Hint: 1 Peter 2:24.

Read in Class: John 3:14-18 and Romans 6:23. What is the common thread in these passages?

Study: What do these verses teach that Christ’s death has accomplished for us?

Apply: What great hope can we take from these verses, especially when you rightly sense that you deserve to be condemned for something that you have done?

Share: Can you think of someone who needs to hear the plan of salvation? Can you pray for an opportunity to share it with them this week?