Tag / Sabbath School teaching aides

by In Light Of The Cross

13: Waging Peace-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, September 23, 2023.

Main Theme: Peace comes from knowing Christ is fighting our battles with us and for us.

Read in Class:  Ephesians 6:14, I Peter 4:1, 5:8. Define the main idea of this passage.
Study: How does Paul’s imagine believers preparing for the battle against evil?
Apply: In what ways have you experienced the idea that goodness, holiness, and truth can be a protection?
Share: Your friend says working for peace if futile in a world where we know there will aways be wars and rumors of wars. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class:  Ephesians 1:2, 2:14,15,17. Define the main idea of this passage.
Study: Why does Paul use detailed military imagery when he is so interested in peace?
Apply: How does the following text help us understand what Paul’s military imagery should mean in our lives as believers? “God calls upon us to put on the armor. We do not want Saul’s armor, but the whole armor of God. Then we can go forth to the work with hearts full of Christ-like tenderness, compassion, and love.” — Ellen G. White, [Australasian] Union Conference Record, July 28, 1899.
Share: Your friend asks, what is the difference between the peace God gives and the peace the world gives? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class:  Ephesians 6:16,17. Define the main idea of this passage.
Study: When and how should believers as combatants use the shield, the helmet, and the sword?
Apply: Does the military images teach us just how literal the great controversy really is and how seriously we should take it?
Share: Your friend asks, “How does the shield of faith protect you from the fiery darts hurled in your direction by others?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class:  Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2, I Thessalonians 5:16-18..
Study: Review the calls to prayer. Which one inspires you the most? Why?
Apply: How can we conduct prayer ministry based on these messages?

Share: Is there something in this week’s lesson that a friend needs to hear? How can you plan to share it with them this week?


by In Light Of The Cross

12: A Call to Stand-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, September 16, 2023.

Main Theme: In composing Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul prays for an enhanced vision for believers so that they will be able to see the full reality of the great controversy and to draw hope from what it reveals to them.

Read in Class: Ephesians 6:10-20. Define the key thought in this passage.

Study: What does Paul’s battle cry mean to us today, as combatants in the great controversy?

Apply: What should Paul’s warning that we fight not against flesh and blood but against supernatural enemies teach us about where our only hope of victory is?

Share: Your friend asks, how can we be praying always? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Romans 13:11-14. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does this passage compare to Ephesians 6:10-20?

Apply: What are some of the ways that you personally have experienced the reality not only of this cosmic conflict, but of the victory we can claim for ourselves in Jesus? Why is understanding His victory for us so foundational to our hope and experience?

Share: Your friend tells you he is trying to stop smoking, but keeps a cigarette in the cabinet “just in case.” How might Romans 13:14 help you answer your friend?

Read in Class: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: Out of all the armor mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-20, why do you think Paul chooses to repeat breastplate and helmet here? Are they more important than the other pieces of armor?

Apply: How do you apply verse 6 not to sleep as others do? Don’t we all need sleep?

Share: Your friend asks, ” how does putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation keep us sober?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does it mean that we walk in the flesh but do not war according to the flesh? How might Ephesians 6:12 help us answer this question?

Apply: What are some of the arguments in the great controversy, and how do you cast them down and make them obedient to Christ?

Share: Can you think of a friend who would be encouraged by something in this week’s lesson? What you can you do to plan to share it with them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

4: The Old Testament Hope-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, Sabbath October 22, 2022.

Main Theme: The Old and New Testaments both celebrate the hope of the resurrection. If God created us out of nothing the first time, He can create us out of nothing again when He resurrects us.

Read in Class: Job 19:25-27. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: under what circumstances was Job expecting to see God, and when?

Apply: What kind of faith do we need to trust God when things aren’t going our way?

Share: Your friend asks, “How did Job know about a Redeemer when Jesus had not even been born yet?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 49:11-15. Discuss the key thought of this passage.

Study: In what ways have you seen the folly of those who trust in their wealth and accomplishments?

Apply:  How do you know that God is going to redeem you from the power of the grave? 

Share: Your friend says, “Shouldn’t we all work hard for financial security? Is it wrong to work hard to be rich?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Isaiah 26:14,19. What is the main idea of these passages?

Study:  What is the contrast between those who will perish forever and those that receive eternal life?

Apply: How do you want to be remembered, and by whom? 

Share: Your friend asks, “Where the people in Old Testament times saved by keeping the law or by grace?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Daniel 12:1-2. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does Michael standing up have to do with the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust?

Apply: Do you want to live to see Jesus coming or sleep in the dust until the resurrection? What factors might be involved? 

Share: Can you think of someone who needs to hear the message in this week’s lesson? Can you share it with them this week?