Tag / Teaching adult Sabbath School class

by In Light Of The Cross

2: The Burning Bush-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, July 12, 2025.

Main Theme: You may recall instances when you had specific goals, but God redirected those plans. We can indeed be helpful to God in many ways, but following God’s call in our lives and doing what He leads us to do is undoubtedly the path to the most satisfying existence. It might not always be easy, and it wasn’t easy for Moses, but how foolish to go our own way when God is calling us in another direction.

Read in Class: Exodus 3:1-6. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study: What significance can be found in the fact that the Lord introduced Himself to Moses as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”?

Apply: Moses needed 80 years before God deemed him ready for his task. What might this truth teach us about patience?

Share: Can you share an experience where your plans seemed to be derailed, but looking back, you see God was just preparing you for something better?

Read in Class: Exodus 3:7-12. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study: How did God explain to Moses why He wanted to intervene on behalf of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt?

Apply: Why is humility, and a sense of our own “unworthiness,” so important for anyone who seeks to follow the Lord and do anything for Him?

Share: Can you share a time when God called you to do something you did not feel qualified to do?

Read in Class: Exodus 3:13-22. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study:  Why did Moses want to know God’s name, and what is the significance of His name?

Apply: In what ways in your own life have you experienced the closeness and intimacy with Yahweh that He seeks to have with all who are surrendered to Him?

Share: What are some of the names of God the Father or God the Son that comfort you the most, and why?

Read in Class: Exodus 4:1-18. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study: What set of signs did God give to Moses to perform in order to strengthen his position as God’s messenger?

Apply: How does the Lord respond to Moses, and what lessons can we take from that for ourselves, in whatever situation we believe God calls us to?

Share: What signs has God given you in your life that have strengthened your faith?

by In Light Of The Cross

10: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, June 7, 2025.

Main Theme: We will examine several key stories to determine what insights they may offer regarding events such as the Second Coming, the investigative judgment, the final crisis, and more. And, through it all, we find Christ as the center, for He must be the foundation as well as the end goal of all our prophetic endeavors.

Read in Class: Revelation 6:12-17. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: Consider the details of these people’s response to seeing last-day events suddenly play out. What do you notice about their response?

Apply: Read Matthew 24:36-44. How may we apply the story of Noah so we will be ready when Jesus comes?

Share: Your friend says it’s hard to stay ready for Jesus’ second coming when it seems like it’s taking Him forever to come. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 6:1-8 and Matthew 24:37-39. Ask the class to share the common thread in these passages.

Study: What were the moral conditions that led to the flood? What parallels do we see between the two time periods?

Apply: How can we learn not to be discouraged if our efforts don’t seem to be bearing much fruit for the moment? 

Share: Your friend says the world is as evil now as it was right before the flood. So why hasn’t Jesus come yet to destroy the world? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 2 Peter 2:4-11, Jude 1:5-8, and Ezekiel 16:46-50. Ask the class to define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What were the moral conditions that led to the destruction of these cities, and what parallels exist today, as well?

Apply: As the church, do we need to apply these warnings to ourselves as well as the world? How can we ensure that we are not complicit in the same sins the world is committing?

Share: Your friend asks, if we as Christians have more light than the wicked, does that mean we will be judged more sternly? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Read in Class: Genesis 18:20-32, Daniel 7:13-14, 27. Ask the class to define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What does this reveal about the character of God and the way He plans to deal with evil on our planet? What is the primary focus of the judgment? What is the verdict rendered at the end of the process? What does this tell us about the plan of salvation?

Apply: Imagine standing before our holy God with all your secrets exposed. What’s your only hope at that time of judgment?

Share: Your friend says it’s so obvious why the wicked are lost, why do we need to judge the evil during the thousand years? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

9: In the Psalms Part 2-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, May 31, 2025.

Main Theme: The Psalms also deal with these issues in great depth, exploring nearly every possible human emotion—from dark despondency to unbridled joy. We see Israel preparing for battle against the forces of darkness. We read about individuals wrestling with the question of why doesn’t God address evil more directly and immediately, a question that no doubt we all have asked. We are directed to the sanctuary for answers, and there are also repeated appeals to God’s status as Creator. Are these not issues and questions that we, in our context today, wrestle with, as well?

Of course—which is why we will continue unpacking Psalms in order to learn more about these crucial truths.

Read in Class: Jeremiah 4:23-26 and Psalm 46:1-11. Ask the class to identify the common thread of these passages.

Study: What message of hope can we take from this amid the turmoil of life now, and what we know will come upon the earth in the last days as the great controversy plays out here?

Apply: However bad things are in this world (and we know they will be worse), what hope should you draw from your knowledge of the goodness, power, and character of God (think: the cross)?

Share: Your friend says you are constantly optimistic when saying everything will work out because God is in control. But your friend asks What past experiences do you base your optimism on? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 47:1-4. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this passage say about our place, ultimately, in Christ’s kingdom?

Apply: How does the hope of future victory over sin and death keep you going today? What would be the point of your life if you did not have this hope?

Share: Your friend asks what this passage means by saying all people and nations will be subdued under our feet? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 75:1-10, Matthew 26:26-29, and Revelation 14:9-12. Ask the class to identify the common thread of these passages.

Study: What does this Psalm reveal about some of the issues at stake in the judgment, and how do these other texts help us understand these issues?

Apply: Though we must do our part now to try to make life better for others, why is it always important to remember that it’s going to take the total destruction of this present world and the supernatural re-creation of it before all things are, ultimately, made right?

Share: Your friend suggests that, as Christians, we should be heavily involved in politics and helping get laws passed that will improve morality in our society. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Read in Class: Psalm 67:1-7, and Revelation 14:6-12. Ask the class to identify the common thread of these passages.

Study: How does Psalm 67 help inform your understanding of the role of God’s people in the last days?

Apply: What obligations should we as a church, and as individuals, feel toward teaching others the truths that we love so much?

Share: What is your plan for sharing the Gospel this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

6: Understanding Sacrifice-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, May 10, 2025.

Main Theme: This week we will look at some of the themes of sacrifice that inform our understanding of Jesus, the slain Lamb, the clear protagonist of the throne room scene. He is accepted as worthy, where no one else is, and His unique worthiness speaks volumes about what the Lord was doing through the sacrificial system. It reveals Him as a God of infinite love who made the ultimate sacrifice, an act that we, and the other intelligences in the universe, will marvel at for eternity.

Read in Class: Read in Class: Isaiah 1:2-25 and Psalm 51:17. Have the class share the main idea of these passages.

Study: What important lessons about sacrifice are taught here?

Apply: Read Hebrews 10:3-10. What does this teach us about the ultimate goal of Christ’s sacrifice? What does His sacrifice lead us to beyond forgiveness?

Share: In the NLT 1 Peter 2:24 tells us Jesus died so we can live for what is right. Your friend asks you how Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has helped you to live a righteous life. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Exodus 12:1-11, Isaiah 53:7-8, and Revelation 5:6. Ask the class to share the main idea of these passages.

Study: What do these verses teach us about Jesus as the Passover sacrifice? What does that mean for each of us?

Apply: What are ways that we can better reflect the perfect character of Jesus in our own lives?

Share: Your friend is an animal lover and tells you she can’t understand why God had the Israelites kill so many innocent animals at the passover as well as in the daily sacrifices afterwards. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Haggai 2:7-9. Ask the class to describe the main idea of this passage.

Study: As the second temple was being constructed, the prophet Haggai made an astonishing promise: the new temple would be more glorious than the previous one. What was meant by that prophecy?

Apply: The cross is by far the greatest manifestation of God’s love. What are other ways we can see and experience the reality of God’s love?

Share: Your friend says it’s great that God filled a temple on the other side of the world with His glory two thousand years ago, but what good does that do us? What do you tell your friend? See Ephesians 3:17-19.

Read in Class: Isaiah 6:1-5 and Revelation 4:7-11. Have the class share the main idea of these passages.

Study: What elements of these two visions are similar? Pay attention to the order of events: What subject is presented first? What comes next? What truth about God is being stressed in these visions?

Apply: How does the cross help you understand God’s love for sinners and His hatred for sin?

Share: Can you think of someone you could share the plan of salvation with this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

5: The Nations Part 2-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, May 3, 2025.

Main Theme: This week, we will continue looking at the problems caused by the Fall and the desire for human government as opposed to God’s governance. These truths are powerfully revealed in the book of Daniel, which shows that God was right when He warned His people about what would happen when they turned away from Him and chose earthly monarchs instead. This is exactly what they got: earthly monarchs instead, and sinners lording it over sinners—never a good combination.

Read in Class: Genesis 2:9-17. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: What was the first command, a prohibition, that God gave to humanity, and why was it so important?

Apply: Think about the kinds of knowledge, even now, that many of us would be better off not knowing. How does this help us understand what was forbidden in Eden?

Share: Your friend says she was reading in Christ Triumphant that the serpent was also insinuating that Eve would know for herself what was good and evil. In other words, God would not be telling her what was right and wrong, but she would be like God and be able to decide for herself what was right and wrong. Your friend asks, what kind of impact does it have on our church and nation when we decide for ourselves what is right and wrong instead of letting the Bible tell us right and wrong?

Read in Class: Daniel 2:31-35. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: What important truths can we learn from this amazing prophecy?

Apply: Jesus warned, “ ‘And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. . . . For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places’ ” (Matt. 24:6-7, NKJV). Despite these warnings, how can we draw comfort from knowing that we have been warned beforehand about them?

Share: Your friend asks you how we know Jesus is coming. What prophecies that have already been fulfilled can you share that will help your friend trust future prophecies about Jesus’ soon coming?

Read in Class: Daniel 7:1-3. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study:  There is a lot of movement in this scene. What lessons can we draw from this imagery, such as the beast first arising from the sea?

Apply: How does Romans 3:10-19 help explain so much of our world? How does verse 19, especially, show why we so desperately need the gospel in our lives?

Share: Your friend asks why the Adventist Church isn’t more involved in politics, especially trying to legislate morality. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 10:1-11. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage.

Study: Look for some of the elements we have studied, such as “the nations,” the land, and the sea. Applying appropriate caution, so that you do not read too much into the passage, what potential insights can you find in this account?

Apply: Look at how accurately the prophecies of Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 predicted the rise and fall of all these worldly empires. Why should that accuracy, amazing if you think about when Daniel was written, help us trust Him on the promise of the final and eternal kingdom—God’s?

Share: In the end, all earthly accomplishments, no matter how grand, no matter how great, no matter how awe-inspiring and glorious, will be turned to dust, to ashes, and ultimately vanquished forever. That includes whatever great and glorious earthly things you might have accomplished or are accomplishing now. Why is it always important to keep this perspective in mind? How should this perspective help you keep your priorities straight as we share and interact with others?

by In Light Of The Cross

4: The Nations part 1-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, April 26, 2025.

Main Theme: God is establishing His own people right here on earth, who will stand out from all other nations.

Read in Class: Genesis 12:1-10. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: This is where the Bible introduces a number of key political players found throughout the rest of the Bible, including Nineveh and Babylon. Given what we know about the roles of those cities later on, what can we deduce from these texts?

Apply: Why is the sin of rebellion against God more subtle than we might readily realize? How can we protect ourselves against this very human trait?

Share: Your friend says, “Even Christians are just a product of their ancestors and culture. How do we know if we are really born-again Christians following the Spirit, or just following our family’s and culture’s customs in the name of Christianity?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 12:1-9. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Why did God call Abram (later Abraham) out from his country of origin?

Apply: Read Deuteronomy 4:5-9. What was the Lord telling the children of Abraham, the nation that had become a fulfillment of the promise God had made to Abraham?

Share: Your friend says that what makes Christians different is not only what they believe but also how they behave and treat others. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 1 Samuel 8:4-18. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Why do you suppose the elders found the idea of a king appealing? In what ways do we fall prey to similar temptations?

Apply: Back then, or even today, all human governments share one thing in common: sinners governing other sinners. What possibly could go wrong?

Share: Your friend says we do not need church leaders today. We should just be following Jesus. After all, Israel’s problem was that they wanted a human leader instead of God leading them. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 20:25-28. Ask the class to share the main idea of this passage

Study: What error did Jesus warn His disciples to avoid in establishing the work of the Christian church?

Apply: In your own culture, your own society, what are the ways in which these same temptations can jeopardize the integrity of our faith?

Share: Read Revelation 18:1-4. In light of Matthew 20:25-28, how might the church people are called to join be different than the church they are in now, besides a different day of worship and beliefs on the state of the dead, etc.? Do we have more to share than just doctrine? What about a different way of how the church operates?

by In Light Of The Cross

3: Images From Marriage-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, April 19, 2025.

Main Theme: This week, we will explore different ways the Word of God talks about marriages, good and bad. We can then draw lessons from these examples to better understand how God relates to His people, even when they fall short. We can also learn some truths about His love that can help us better grasp last-day events.

Read in Class: Genesis 2:23-25 and Ephesians 5:29-32. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: In what ways does a human marriage mirror Christ’s bond to humanity?

Apply: Read Matthew 19:7-9. Seeing how sacred the marriage bond is, what does this tell you about how sacred our relationship with Christ should be?

Share: Can you share how your spouse helps you better understand God’s love? Can you share ways you have seen the love of God in other people’s families?

Read in Class: Hosea 1:2, Hosea 3:1, Revelation 17:1-12, and Revelation 18:1-4. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What is the harlotry mentioned here? What lessons can the Christian church learn from the story of Hosea? In what ways has the church repeated the sins of the Old Testament?

Apply: What are the ways today that any church, even our own, can be dallying with spiritual fornication?

Share: Your friend asks, if Hosea was supposed to forgive his wife’s unfaithfulness, should I have to forgive my wife if she cheats on me? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 24:-14, 57-67. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: Why would it be so important to Abraham that his son not marry “ ‘from the daughters of the Canaanites’ ” (Gen. 24:3, NKJV)? What lessons can we glean about Christ and His church from some details we find in this story? What is there to learn, for instance, about our fallen state from the fact that Rebekah was a distant, separated relative to Isaac?

Apply: Yes, God loves us, His bride, more than we love Him. What are the choices we can make, and should make, every day that can strengthen our love for God? At the same time, what choices will only deaden our love?

Share: Your friend says he is marrying a woman outside of the church, because there is no one he is attracted to in the church. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 19:1-9 and Revelation 21:1-4. Ask the class to share the main idea of these passages.

Study: Two things are celebrated simultaneously: the end of the harlot and the marriage of Christ with His bride. How is it possible that both events are actually demonstrations of God’s righteous and loving character at the same time? What does the marriage imagery here mean, and why is it full of hope and promise? What is our assurance of the hope presented in these verses?

Apply: Read 1 Peter 1:18-19. What are we told in these verses that gives us the assurance of the end depicted in Revelation 21:1-4?

Share: Ellen White writes, “Marriage, a union for life, is a symbol of the union between Christ and His church. The spirit that Christ manifests toward the church is the spirit that husband and wife are to manifest toward each other.”— Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 46. Even if you are single, how can you affirm, encourage, and strengthen your married friends this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

2: The Genesis Foundation-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, April 12, 2025.

Main Theme: This week, we are going to study a handful of big concepts at the core of Revelation. There are many, and so we will choose a few to illustrate the all-important point that understanding the ancient foundations behind Revelation enables the student to see countless nuances in the text, each of which can yield important lessons about the nature of humanity, of God, and of the conflict being waged in our universe and, thus, in our lives, as well.

Read in Class: Genesis 22:1-13. Ask the class to summarize this passage in their own words.

Study: The first mention of “love” in the Bible is found in Genesis 22:2. What does this story teach us about the nature of God’s love?

Apply: Read John 3:16. What parallels apply between the story of Abraham in Genesis 22 and the love of God in John 3:16 and the cross? What are the similarities, and what are the differences?

Share: Your friend says she has heard that God tested Abraham so he could prove his obedience. Others say the story of Abraham and Isaac was only an illustration of God’s self-sacrificing love for us. She asks what you think. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 22:7-8, Exodus 12:3-13 and Revelation 5:5-10. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: How does the story of Isaac’s near-sacrifice help us understand how lambs are used symbolically? How does this story tie into what John sees in Revelation 5?

Apply: Why is knowing that Jesus is our Substitute so foundational to our salvation? What hope would you have without Him, as that Substitute, especially in the judgment?

Share: Your friend asks why God wanted the people to have the lamb in their home four days before sacrificing it? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 4:8-15, 1 Corinthians 15:15-19, and Revelation 1:18. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What do these passages—which include the first mention and occurrence of death—tell us about why people die, how God views death, and what His solution is for our problem?

Apply: Without the problem of death being solved, why are our lives ultimately useless, meaningless and futile? What does this fact teach us about how thankful we should be for what Jesus has done for us?

Share: Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of sin is death. Wages are something we have earned. However the gift of God is eternal life. A gift is something we have not earned. Your friend asks how do we get the gift of eternal life? What do you tell your friend? Hint: See Salvation in Light of the Cross.

Read in Class: Genesis 3:1-5 and Revelation 12:1-9. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passages.

Study: What are some of the common themes in each account? How do the details found in the introduction of the serpent in Genesis help us to understand some of the issues that had previously led to the war in heaven mentioned in Revelation?

Apply: Read in Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:13-17. How did Jesus apply the story of the brass serpent, as the solution for when we are bitten by the serpent and deceived into sin?

Share: Can you think of someone you can share the plan of salvation with this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

1: Some Principles of Prophecy-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Bible on the pulpit by Bill Nicholls is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, April 5, 2025.

Main Theme: This week, we will explore some principles that yield a consistent and reliable understanding of prophecy.

Read in Class: Matthew 24:15, Revelation 1:3 Matthew 11:29 and Jeremiah 9:23-24. Ask the class if they see any common threads in these passages.

Study: What do these texts suggest about God’s intention to make Himself understood?

Apply: What are some technigues you have found helpful in understanding the Word of God?

Share: Your friend says she enjoys trying to find “loopholes” in the Word of God. Why may that not be a good idea. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 139:1-6, Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33 and 1 John 3:20. Ask the class if they see any common threads in these passages.

Study: What do these passages suggest about God’s understanding in comparison to our own?

Apply: Though, yes, there is much that we don’t know, why is it crucial to focus now on what we do know and to follow what we know—as opposed to obsessing over what we don’t know?

Share: Your friend says his pastor said we should not worry about things we read in the Bible that are not salvation issues. Your friend asks what is meant by salvation issues? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 5:18, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, and Luke 24:27. Ask the class if they see any common threads in these passages.

Study: What do these verses teach us about the way we ought to approach Bible prophecy?

Apply: What has been your experience with those who use only certain selected texts to try and make their point about, say, the state of the dead? Or even the Sabbath? What is the best way to respond?

Share: Your friend asks if Seventh-day Adventists have any traditions, good or bad, that cannot necesarrily be supported by Scripture? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Daniel 7:7, Daniel 7:24, Revelation 1:16, and Revelation 1:20. Ask the class what common threads they see in these passages.

Study: How does Daniel 7:24 help us understand Daniel 7:7 and how does Revelation 1:20 help us understand Revelation 1:16? Does this show us that the Bible inteprets itself for us?

Apply: Even if some symbols and prophecies remain mysteries, how can focusing on what we do understand strengthen our faith?

Share: Your friend asks why God speaks in symbols instead of just being more literal or forthright? What do you tell your friend?

by In Light Of The Cross

13: Love is the Fulfillment of the law-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, March 29, 2025.

Main Theme: God’s law shows us how to love God and our neighbor.

Read in Class: Exodus 20:1-17. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: How do these verses reveal the two principles, those of love for God and of love for others?

Apply: Is it possible to love others while continuing to violate the Ten Commandments?

Share: Your friend says its impossible for us to keep the Ten Commandments, since we are human. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Romans 6:1-3 and Romans 7:7-12. Ask the class to identify the common thread in these passage.

Study: What are these verses telling us about the law, even after Christ died?

Apply: How does John 14:15 help you understand the link between love and the law?

Share: Your friend says that the law in the New Testament is the law of love and not the Ten Commandments. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:10. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this teach about God’s promises to give us a new heart? 

Apply: How do you apply Jesus’ words in John 3:1-21 help you understand the idea of a new birth and a new heart?

Share: Your friend says that since we are saved by grace there is no real reason to keep the law. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: James 2:1-9. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What crucial messages are we given here?

Apply: Dwell more on the idea of loving the world as Christ loved the world. How might this help us better understand the concept of Christian perfection and how we are made fit for eternal life?

Share: Romans 2:4 tells us it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. How can you show others the goodness of God in His law, so they can be led to repentance?