Tag / seventh-day adventist sabbath school lessons

by In Light Of The Cross

6: The Mystery of the Gospel-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, August 5, 2023.

Main Theme: As we study the Bible more deeply, we receive even greater revelations of God’s love.

Read in Class: Ephesians 3:1-6. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the mystery that has been entrusted to Paul?

Apply: How can we learn to trust God and His ways amid what can be trying circumstances? 

Share: Your friend tells you ever since her divorce, everyone at church tells her they still love her and are friendly to her at church, but her church friends no longer include her in activities and socials. Her church claims to be inclusive but is obviously leaving her out now. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 3:7-13. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does Paul say about God and the actions of God in Ephesians 3:7-13?

Apply: If your own congregation took seriously Paul’s “job description” of the church in Ephesians 3:10, how might it change the way you and your fellow church members relate to each other?

Share: Your friend asks why Paul says he is the worst sinner? Are we all supposed to feel that way? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:16-19 and Ephesians 3:14-19. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: Compare Paul’s earlier prayer request, Ephesians 1:16-19, with his plea for believers in Ephesians 3:14-19. In what ways are the two requests similar?

Apply: What person or event has helped you the most to understand the depths of God’s love?

Share: Your friend says he has trouble trying to trust church members like they are family. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 3:20-21. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does Paul praise God for in this passage?

Apply: What blessings from God are especially valuable to you?

Share: Your friend says its beautiful reading about how God reconciles us to Himself, but she has fallen too far away from God to have her relationship with God reconciled and restored. What do you tell your friend? See also, Ephesians 3: A Shattered Relationship Perfectly Restored.

by In Light Of The Cross

5: Horizontal Atonement: The Cross and the Church-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, July 29, 2023.

Main Theme: The cross tears down the walls the separate humanity.

Read in Class: Ephesians 2:11-12. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does Paul accent in his fresh description of the past?

Apply: From what condition has Jesus redeemed you? Why might it be important for you to recall, with some regularity, where you were when He found you and where you might now be had He not found you?

Share: Your friend complains that she is constantly seeing ads on TV and hearing even seemingly innocent songs on the radio that are always reminding her of her past life of sin. God has turned her life around but she just wishes she could get rid of the constant reminders of her past life. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 2:14-16. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does the cross transform our relationships?

Apply: Is there someone you need to be reconciled with? How might you go about that? See also The 7 A’s of Reconciliation.

Share: Your friend complains that there is racism and sexism in the church just as much as in the world. How do you respond to your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 2:17-18. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does Paul summarize the ministry of Christ in Ephesians 2:17, 18?

Apply: How can we learn to be preachers of peace as opposed to conduits of conflict? To what situations, right now, can you help bring healing?

Share: Your friend asks how the church can help blend in with the culture around it without compromising Bible teachings? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 2:11-22. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What culminating set of images does Paul use in Ephesians 2:11-22 to signal unity between Jews and Gentiles in the church?

Apply: What “walls” or divisions in the church do you see now, that you would like to see broken down?

Share: Can you think so someone who may feel alienated from the church? How can reach out to them this week and make them feel included?

by In Light Of The Cross

4: How God Rescues us-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, July 22, 2023.

Main Theme: Ephesians 2:1-10 describes our rescue story.

Read in Class: Ephesians 2:1-10. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the main idea that Paul is giving us here about what Jesus has done for us?

Apply: What do these verses teach about the reality of the great controversy? At the same time, how can we draw comfort and hope in the knowledge that Jesus has been victorious and that we can share in His victory now?

Share: Your friend says, its okay to continue in sin because we are saved by grace. What do you share with your friend? Does grace save us from death or from sin? Or both? See Ephesians 2: Sitting With Jesus in Heavenly Places.

Read in Class: Compare Romans 1:5 and Titus 2:11-12 with Ephesians 2:8-10. What are the common threads in these passages?

Study: What distinct qualities does each passage tell us grace produces in our lives?

Apply: In Ephesians 2:8-9 is God’s grace responding to our faith or is our faith responding to God’s grace? What is the difference and why does it matter? Notice also that in Romans 2:4 God’s goodness leads us to repentance instead of our repentance leading to God’s goodness.

Share: Your friend notices in Titus 2:11-12 it says we are to live righteous and godly lives in this present age. Your friend says he thought our characters would be changed at the second coming, and then we could live righteous and godly lives. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 2:6-7. Define the main theme of this passage.

Study: what sense do believers participate in Christ’s resurrection, ascension, and exaltation? When does this participation occur?

Apply: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7, NKJV). How do the verses we looked at today help us understand what Paul writes here?

Share: Your friend asks, how does knowing your are currently sitting in heavenly places with Christ right now, change they way you look at your every day struggles? What do you tell your friend?

Read Again in Class: Ephesians 2:1-10. After the discussions you have had, what new insights do you see in this passage?

Study: What points does Paul highlight as he concludes this passage?

Apply: While the good works of believers play no role in their redemption, in that they can never give people saving merit before God, what important part do they play in God’s plans for believers? Eph. 2:10.

Share: Can you think of someone who has been struggling in their own power, who may need to hear about God’s grace? How can you share the plan of salvation by grace with them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

3: The Power of the Exalted Jesus-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class on July 15, 2023.

Main Theme: We can experience the power and reality of Jesus’ transforming grace in our own lives.

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:15-23 and Ephesians 3:14-21. Define the common theme in these two prayer reports.

Study: What does it mean that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think? Do you see that power in your life? If not, why not?

Apply: Why is it important always to thank God in prayer for what you have to be thankful for?

Share: Your friend notices that Paul seems to be constantly praying for those he is reaching for Jesus. Your friend asks you how much you pray for those you are reaching for Jesus. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:17-19. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: Paul prays that the Holy Spirit will bring special insight to believers on what three topics?

Apply: How can you better experience “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe”? What does this mean in daily life?

Share: Your friend asks, if God’s power is so great, why does it seem like evil is winning all over the world? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 2:2, and Ephesians 6:12. Define the common thread in these passages.

Study: Why does Paul seem to be so interested in evil powers?

Apply: What are some present-day manifestations of these same evil forces, and how can we make sure that we don’t get caught up in any of them?

Share: Your friend asks if its possible to think we are fighting against each other when we are really fighting wicked spirits in high places? What do you tell your friend? What are some examples you can give?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:22-23. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What benefits does the exaltation of Christ to the throne of the cosmos, and His rule over all things in heaven and on earth, provide for His church?

Apply: What has been your own experience with the power of prayer? That is, not just answered prayers but prayer in general, and how does prayer draw us closer to God and the power offered us in Jesus?

Share: Can you pray the prayer Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:14-21 for someone this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

1: Paul and the Ephesians-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, July 1, 2023.

Main Theme: In the book of Ephesians Paul tells us how God’s grace protects us against the wicked powers in our community.

Read in Class: Acts 19:13-20. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What strange event leads to widespread reverence for “the Lord Jesus” in Ephesus?

Apply: What did the burning of their own books signify, even at such an expense to themselves? What does that say about a total commitment to the Lord?

Share: Your friend asks why the demons were able to overpower the people using the name of Jesus? What clues from the passage itself can you share with your friend? Also see Matthew 7:21-23.

Read in Class: Acts 19:21-Acts 20:1. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What lessons can we draw from this story?

Apply: At the end of his third missionary journey, Paul meets with elders of the Ephesian church. How would you summarize Paul’s concerns? (See Acts 20:17-38)

Share: After reading these warnings, you friend asks, “What do you think Paul would warn our church today about, and why?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:1-2 and Ephesians 6:21-24. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: How does Paul begin and end his letter to the believers in Ephesus? What do we learn about his deepest desires for them? How does Paul worry about the effect his imprisonment will have on believers in Ephesus? See Eph. 3:13.

Apply: How can you use your personal tribulations as a witness to others about the goodness of God?

Share: Your friend says, “I thought the whole point of accepting Jesus as our Savior was so He would bless us and make us prosperous? If we still have tribulations what’s the point of having Jesus in our lives? How has God’s grace protected us from the evil in our community if we still suffer harm?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:9-10. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does Paul announce the theme of his letter?

Apply: In the church of which you are a part, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, God is drawing together a transnational, multilingual, multiracial, cross-cultural community (Rev. 14:6, 7) that points the way to the fulfillment of His plan to unite all things in Jesus (Eph. 1:9, 10). How can we work in concert with God’s grand plan?

Share: Can you think of a friend who would enjoy these studies on Ephesians? Can you invite your friend to Sabbath School?

by In Light Of The Cross

4: Fear God and Give Glory to Him-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, April 22, 2023.

Main Theme: To fear God means to be in awe of His love and power. This fear causes us to reverence Him in our hearts and in the way we live our lives.

Read in Class: Revelation 14:7. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What specific instruction does he give us?

Apply: What has been your own experience of fearing God? How would you explain to someone, in a positive way, why “the fear of God” is something good?

Share: Your friend quotes Ecclesiastes 8:11, and says that people today have no reason to fear God, because sinners never get their just due anymore. They get away with everything! What do you tell your friend? See Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Read in Class: Deuteronomy 6:2, Psalm 119:73-74, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What is the result of fearing God?

Apply: How do Jesus’ words here “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28, NKJV) help us understand what it means to fear God?

Share: Your friend states, that Revelation 21:7-8 says the fearful will be thrown into the lake of fire. Why is God throwing the fearful into the lake of fire if we are supposed to fear God? How would you answer your friend, and how would what we read in Matthew 10:28 help?

Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Romans 12:1-2. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: How do these passages help us understand one way that we can glorify God?  What appeal does the apostle Paul make regarding the totality of our life choices?

Apply: Think about what you do with your body. What can you do to make sure that you are, indeed, glorifying God with it?

Share: Your friend asks, what is the difference between glorifying God with our bodies because we fear Him, and glorifying God because we are afraid of Him? For a hint: Read Exodus 20:20 in the NKJV and then Read Exodus 20:20 in the ERV.

Read in Class: Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 7:25. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What is the means of overcoming and living lives that “fear God” and “give Him glory?”

Apply: Are there things in your life you desire to overcome? How can we translate our desires into action? What practical steps can we take to be one of Revelation’s “overcomers”?

Share: How do we teach children to fear us without being afraid of us? How can we show others how to fear God without being afraid of Him?

by In Light Of The Cross

3: The Everlasting Gospel-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, April 15, 2023.

Main Theme: The three angels’ message is the Seventh-day Adventist statement of faith and message to the world.

Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 3:24-26 and Romans 5:6-8. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: How is the “everlasting gospel” presented in these texts? What great hope is presented here for us?

Apply: How does it help you to know that Jesus died for you while you were still sinners? How does this fact influence your attitude towards others?

Share: Your friend asks you how she can know if she has eternal life? What do you tell your friend? See Salvation in Light of the Cross.

Read in Class: Revelation 13:8 and 1 Peter 1:18-20. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these verses teach us about the plan of salvation?

Apply: Read Ephesians 1:4. Think about what it means that, even before the “foundation of the world,” you had been “chosen” in Christ to have salvation in Him. Why should you find this truth so encouraging?

Share: Your friend asks, “What does it mean that we were “chosen” before the foundation of the world? Does that mean that we are predestined to be saved or lost without any choice of our own?” What do you tell your friend? See Does Romans 9 Teach Predestination?

Read in Class: Revelation 14:6 and Matthew 28:19-20. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What is the extent of the proclamation of the everlasting gospel, and why is the answer important to us and our mission and calling as a church? How does Matthew 28:19-20 link with the first angel’s message?

Apply: What has been your own experience in being involved in something bigger than yourself? How does that experience help you understand the point of this day’s study? Also, what could be bigger than being used by the Creator of the cosmos to make an eternal difference in the universe?

Share: Your friend asks, “How is the everlasting gospel going to be preached when many of the countries of the world are anti-Christian – either Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Shintu, Communist, or Atheist? How cam God’s people share this gospel in antagonistic areas?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 14:6, Acts 1:8, and Matthew 24:14.Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: While their is so much opposition, where and how do you see these passages being fulfilled today?

Apply: What role can you play in bringing the three angels’ messages to the entire world? 

Share: Can you think of someone you can share the gospel with this week? How can you plan to share it with them?

by In Light Of The Cross

6: Laying up Treasures in Heaven-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, February 11, 2023.

Main Theme: The Bible shows us how to store our treasurers in heaven and reap an eternal reward.

Read in Class: Mark 8:36-37 and Matthew 6:19-21. Define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What words of warning and encouragement do we find in these passages?

Apply: How can we make sure we don’t lose our soul while chasing worldly gains? How can we invest ourselves in the kingdom of God?

Share: Your friend asks, “If our treasurers in heaven are golden streets and mansions doesn’t that make us just as materialistic as those who are materialistic here on earth? Do you agree with your friend? How do you respond?

Read in Class: Genesis 12:1-3 and Hebrews 11:8-13. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: How are all of the families of earth blessed through Abraham? What did Abraham do to make sure he could be a part of this blessing? What example here is given to us?

Apply: Read 2 Corinthians 4:18. How should the message of this verse impact the kind of spiritual decisions that we make? How did both Moses and Abraham follow that same principle?

Share: Your friend has been teaching in an elementary school in a troubled neighborhood. After one year she is ready to quit as she says, “With all things working against these kids it’s a losing battle.” How do you respond to your friend.

Read in Class: Genesis 13:10-12 and Genesis 18:20-33. Define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What rational factors could have led Lot to make the decision that he did? What did God tell Abraham was the reason for His visit to earth? What was Abraham’s response to the news that God was planning to destroy these wicked cities?

Apply: How can the message in Mark 8:36-37 help prevent us from making the same mistakes Lot made?

Share: Your young Adventist friend has been offered a scholarship at a prestigious university playing football on Sabbath afternoons. He realizes he will have to compromise, but does not want to pass up on such a “miraculous” opportunity. What do you share with your young friend?

Read in Class: Hebrews 11:24-29. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: Think about what Moses left behind and what he had to face instead. Try to look at it from his position, before he made the choice. What was he leaving, and what was he choosing to accept by leaving?

Apply: From a worldly perspective, Moses should have stayed in Egypt. However, as Christians, we have been given a view of reality that takes us way beyond this world. When we are tempted by the world, how can we keep the big picture always before us? Why is it so important that we do so?

Share: Can you think of someone who could use a word of encouragement or even warning from this week’s lesson? How can you plan to share it with them this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

4: Offerings for Jesus-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath school class, January 28, 2023.

Main Theme: We worship God by using all our time and resources for God.

Read in Class: Deuteronomy 16:7. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What criterion does God give as a basis for the amount of our offerings?

Apply: What do your offerings and your attitude about giving them say about your relationship with God?

Share: Your friend says he only returns tithes but cannot give offerings because tithe is all he can afford to do. Anything else is just asking too much. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 1 Chronicles 16:29 and Psalm 96:8-9. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: How do we apply these principles to our own worship experience?

Apply:  What is your experience with returning tithes and offerings as a part of worship? How does it impact your relationship with God?

Share: Your friend says, “God never said anything about offerings being required, but only as an expression of thanksgiving based on our increase. God doesn’t need my money. He can finish the work without all the expensive programs the church makes up to increase their income and finances.” How would you respond to your friend?

Read in Class: Mark 12:41-44 and Acts 10:1-4. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What is the message of these stories, and how can we apply it to our own worship experience?

Apply: What action was noted in heaven by the Roman that prompted a visit from heaven? Share your thoughts.

Share: Your friend asks in what ways did the poor woman give more than they all? What do you tell your friend? Think about all the people who have given what little they can throughout the years, because of this woman’s story. Could all of that add up to more than the rich gave that day?

Read in Class: Mark 14:1-9. What is the main theme of this passage?

Study: Who were the main characters at Simon’s feast? What was the value of Mary’s gift? Why did she anoint Jesus at this time?

Apply: Why is sacrificial giving as important for the givers as for the recipients? 

Share: Are there any specific needs in the church that your Sabbath school class could raise money to contribute towards?

by In Light Of The Cross

11: End-Time Deceptions Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class on Sabbath, December 10, 2022.

Main Theme: A proper understanding in Scripture will keep us safe from end-time deceptions.

Read in Class: Matthew 7:21-27. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: In light of Jesus’ own words, what does it mean to build our spiritual house “on the rock” and to build it “on the sand”?

Apply: How can we fight the very human tendency to let our emotions and desires cause us to do things contrary to the Word of God?

Share: Your friend says, “Romans 10:13 tells us all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. It does not matter if we keep the Sabbath or obey the Bible. All we have to do is call on the name of the Lord to be saved now.” How do you answer your friend?

Read in Class: Mark 5:41-43 and John 11:40-44. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: Do any of these passages mention the resurrected people being conscious while they were dead?

Apply: How fascinating that NDEs often now come with the imprimatur of “science.” What does this teach us about how careful we need to be even of things that science supposedly “proves”?

Share: Your friend says while he momentarily died on the operating table he was hovering over the doctors and nurses who were working on him. He says he experienced for himself consciousness while being dead. What do you tell your friend? For hints see Death in Light of the Cross and Every Word of God Proves True.

Read in Class: 1 Samuel 28:3-25. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What spiritual lessons against any supposed communication with the dead can be drawn from Saul’s experience with the woman medium at Endor?

Apply: How often, under stress, do we do things that we know are wrong? Why are faith, prayer, and obedience to the Word of God our only sure defense against our own selves?

Share: Your friend says that when he was a child he was lost in the woods and his dead grandfather miraculously appeared and led him safely home and then disappeared. What do you tell your friend? For hints see Did King Saul Talk to Samuel After he Died?

Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 and Ephesians 6:10-18. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What should be our safeguards against such demonic deceptions?

Apply: What does it mean to put on the “whole armor of God?” In a day-by-day practical sense, how do we do this in every area of our lives, not just in dealing with end-time deceptions?

Share: Can you think of a friend who would be edified by something in this week’s Bible study? How can you share it with them this week?