Tag / Teaching adult Sabbath School class

by In Light Of The Cross

2: The Genesis Foundation-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Ovais Ibn farooq on Pexels.com

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?

by In Light Of The Cross

11: What More Could I Have Done?-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, March 15, 2025

Main Theme: The cross shows us God has done everything possible to prove His love for mankind.

Read in Class: Romans 3:23-26 and Romans 5:8. Ask the class to define the main idea of these passages.

Study: How do these passages refute Satan’s lie that God is not love?

Apply: Read Revelation 12:10-12 in light of Genesis 3:15. How does the blood of the lamb help you to overcome Satan’s lies and temptations?

Share: Your friend asks you if the third angel’s message about the mark of the beast can be tied to the cross? What do you tell your friend? How can you share the goodness of God in the third angel’s message.

Read in Class: Isaiah 5:1-4. Ask the class what is the main idea of this passage?

Study: Who is speaking in these verses? Whom is Isaiah speaking about? Whom do the vineyard and vineyard owner represent? What is the significance of the actions of the vineyard owner on behalf of the vineyard? What is the result?

Apply: When you look at the cross, where God offered Himself as a sacrifice for all our sin, how do His words, “What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it?”—take on an utterly amazing significance?

Share: Your friend says some people were brought up in better environments than others, and so some have a better chance to be saved than others. Some have no chance at all. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Matthew 21:33-39 and Isaiah 53:4. Ask the class to define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What more could God do than what He has done to save us?

Apply: Whose “griefs” and “sorrows” did Christ bear on the cross? What should this tell us about all that God has done for us and what salvation has cost Him?

Share: Your friend asks you, how you know Christ has born your griefs and sorrows? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Isaiah 5:3-4, Revelation 15:3 and Revelation 19:1-6. Ask the class to summarize these passages.

Study: What do these passages teach us about God being vindicated in the cosmic conflict, especially at the end?

Apply: What assurance do you have that God has done everything possible to help you experience His love and truth?

Share: 2 Peter 3:9 tells us God wants everyone to come to repentance. Romans 2:4 says it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. How can you share God’s goodness this week with someone so they may be led to repentance and salvation?

by In Light Of The Cross

10: Rules of Engagement-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, March 8, 2025.

Main Theme: This week’s lesson explores the parameters of both sides in the battle between Christ and Satan.

Read in Class: Daniel 10:1-14. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What do these verses teach that is relevant to the cosmic conflict? What do you make of the angel sent by God being “withstood” for twenty-one days?

Apply: How have you experienced the limits of working only through the principles of love and not coercion? What lessons did you learn about the limits of power?

Share:  Your friend asks, Why did the angel get withstood 21 days? Why didn’t God’s angel immediately get the king of Persia to begin the process of delivering God’s people? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 13:1-8. Have class define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this reveal about the extent of the dragon’s jurisdiction?

Apply: However hard for us to see it now, in the end good will eternally triumph over evil. Why is it so important that we never forget this wonderful promise?

Share: Your friend asks you why the world leaders in Jesus’ day crucified Jesus for claiming to be God, and then years later instead of crucifying the beast who claims to be God, the world leaders worship the beast who claims to be God. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Job 1:1-12 and Job 2:1-7. As the class what is going on in these passages?

Study: What principles of the great controversy do we see unveiled here?

Apply: Job found himself in the middle of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. In What ways has the reality hit you that you are in the midst of the Cosmic Battle between Christ and Satan? How does it comfort you knowing God put limits on what Satan could do to Job?

Share: Your friend says it was not fair for God to let Satan harass Job in a conflict Job had nothing to do with? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Mark 6:5, and Mark 9:29. Ask the class to define the common thread in these passages.

Study: What do these texts display about how even divine action might be integrally related to factors such as faith and prayer?

Apply: Noah preached in his day only to save 7 other people in the end. There were people that Jesus could not work with miracles with. How should this comfort us when the success of our ministry seems to be limited, while not letting us use it as an excuse for failure?

Share: In Matthew 6:10 Jesus prays for His Father’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In heaven Satan was cast out. Your friend asks if our prayers can also limit Satan’s working in our homes, churches and communities? What do you tell your friend? How can you pray this week for your community in light of the cosmic conflict?

by In Light Of The Cross

9: The Cosmic Conflict-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, March 1, 2025.

Main Theme:  We will address how the two following questions might be answered according to some crucial biblical passages: (1) Where does Scripture teach that there is a cosmic conflict between God and Satan? (2) According to Scripture, what is the nature of the conflict?

Read in Class: Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43. Ask the class to share the main idea of this parable.

Study: How does the parable help us understand evil in our world?

Apply: What are some of the dangers in seeking to uproot the tares from the wheat now? At the same time, why does this not mean simply ignoring the evil that we encounter?

Share: Your friend asks you where do you see or experience the conflict between good and evil? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Ezekiel 28:12-19 and Isaiah 14:12-15. Ask the class to identify the common thread of these passages.

Study: How do these passages describe the one who fell, and the origination of evil?

Apply: How do we understand the fact that Lucifer, who fell, was originally “perfect . . . from the day” he was created “till iniquity was found” in him (Ezek. 28:15)? How could a perfect being fall unless being “perfect” included true moral freedom?

Share: Your friend asks, why didn’t God stop this evil up in heaven before it got out of control? What do you tell your friend? How might the parable of the wheat and tares in Matthew 13 help you explain your answer?

Read in Class: Genesis 3:1-7, 15, and Matthew 4:1-11. Ask the class if they see any similarities in these passages.

Study: How do these passages help us understand the conflict between Christ and Satan, and how sin originated on earth, and its solution?

Apply:  God’s statement in Genesis 3:15 to the serpent that the Seed of the woman, referring to the Messiah, would crush the serpent’s head is often identified as the first gospel (protoevangelium) in Scripture. How does this both reinforce the reality of the conflict and yet provide hope for us in the midst of it?

Share: Your friend asks you how are we as mere mortal human beings supposed to survive the same kind of Satanic attacks Jesus endured? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 8:44-45 and Revelation 12:7-9. Ask the class what similarities they see in these passages.

Study: What do these passages reveal about the character of the devil and his strategy?

Apply: How does putting on the whole armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:10-19 help you defend yourself against Satan’s strategies?

Share: “Often He [Jesus] met those who had drifted under Satan’s control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear.” –Ellen White, Desire of Ages, Pages 91-92.

How might you encourage someone this week who is fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls?

by In Light Of The Cross

8: Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, February 22, 2025.

Main Theme: Strong Biblical evidence shows that God does not determine everything that happens. Instead, He grants humans free will, even to the point where they (and angels) can choose to act directly against His will. The history of the Fall, of sin, and of evil is a dramatic and tragic expression of the results of abusing this free will. The plan of salvation was instituted in order to remedy the tragedy caused by the misuse of free will.

Read in Class: Psalm 81:11-14, Isaiah 30:15-18, and Luke 13:34, Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these texts say about the question of whether God’s will is always being done?

Apply: Think through the implications of any theology that attributes everything that happens to God’s direct will. What kind of deep problems, especially in the context of evil, would such a theology create?

Share: Your friend says that she has always heard that God puts into office whoever He wants in that office, and yet Hosea 8:4 says, “They set up kings, but not by me?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelaion 11:17, Matthew 19:26, Jeremiah 32:17-20. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these passages teach about God’s power?

Apply: Scripture also teaches that God wants to save everyone (for example, 1 Tim. 2:4-6, Titus 2:11, 2 Pet. 3:9, Ezek. 33:11), but not everyone will be saved. What does this fact teach about the reality of free will and the limits of God’s power with beings granted free will?

Share: Your friend asks, you if there was ever a time when you knew what the right thing to do was, but you still had a hard time doing it? What did you end up doing and what were the results?

Read in Class: Ephesians 1:9-11. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is this text saying about predestination? Are some people predestined to be saved and others to be lost?

Apply:  What kind of attitude and response to God might people have if one believed in predestination? 

Share: Your friend says that if God knows the end from the beginning then we really have no choice in anything? How is your friend’s thinking faulty? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 16:33. Ask the class to define the main idea of this passage.

Study: Even when the consequences of other people’s choices bring us trials and suffering, what hope does this passage give us?

Apply: How often do you think about the fact that God is grieved by suffering as well? 

Share: Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for good to those who belong to God. This does not mean that everything that happens is God’s will or even good. What it does mean is that God will overrule everything that happens to bring about good to those who love Him. Can you think of someone this week, who you can encourage by your own testimony on how God has overruled evil in your life? How can you share your testimony with that person this week?

by In Light Of The Cross

7: The Problem of Evil-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, February 15, 2025.

Main Theme: Many atheists identify the problem of evil as the reason that they are atheists. But as we will see in this week and in coming weeks, the God of the Bible is entirely good, and we can trust Him—even despite the evil that so infects our fallen world.

Read in Class: Job 38:1-12. Have the class identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does God’s answer to Job shed light on the problem of evil? How much do we know and not know about what might be going on behind the scenes?

Apply: Read Job 42:3.  How does Job’s response illuminate what we should recognize about our own position?

Share: Your friend asks why God has allowed others to suffer if He is a God of love? What experiences of your own can you share about prospering from suffering? Or what experiences can you share from your parenting? For example why would a good parent allow their child to receive a painful shot at the doctor’s office?

Read in Class: Psalm 73 and Isaiah 55:8-9. Ask the class what the common thread of these passafges may be.

Study: How does the psalmist approach the evil and injustice around him? What does he see that puts his understanding in a different perspective?

Apply: How can the Adventist understanding of the judgment and the sanctuary doctrine shed light on the problem of evil? Is it helpful to you to know that, while we have many questions now, the details of history and God’s righteous judgments will be revealed in the end?

Share: Your friend asks, how can we have hope when there is so much corruption everywhere? Everyone is so greedy for money and power? There is no integrity anywhere? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Genesis 2:16-17. Ask the class what is the main idea of this passage?

Study: How do these verses display the moral freedom granted to Adam and Eve?

Apply: Sony Corporation has created a robot dog, called Aibo. It will not get sick, not get fleas, not bite, not need shots, and not shed fur. Would you trade your flesh and blood dog for an Aibo? If not, how might your choice help you better understand why God created us as He did, with free will—despite the risks?

Share: Your friend asks, how do you encourage someone who keeps reaping the consequences of their continual bad choices?What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Romans 8:18 and Revelation 21:3-4. Have the class define the common thread in these passages.

Study: How can these texts give us confidence to trust in God’s goodness, despite all the evil in our world?

Apply: How does keeping in mind the fact that God grants us free will help protect us from thinking that everything that happens is God’s will?

Share: Romans 2:4 tells us it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. Can you think of someone who has been the vicitm of their own sin and suffering? What are some practical things you can do for them this week so they can see God’s goodness and be lead to repentance?

by In Light Of The Cross

2: Covenanted Love-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, January 11, 2025.

Main Theme: We must respond to God’s love in order for His love to be relational.

Read in Class: 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4, and Ezekiel 33:11. Ask the class to identify the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these passages teach us about God’s desire to save everyone?

Apply: How should we show our love and respect for every human being?

Share: Your friend asks, if God’s love is unconditional then why will some people be lost?

Read in Class: Deuteronomy 7:6-9. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What do these verses teach about the relationship between God making covenants and God’s lovingkindness?

Apply: What are ways that you can constantly keep the reality of God’s love in your thoughts? Why is it important to do that?

Share: Your friend says a certain man keeps coming by the church asking for money to buy food for his family, but only uses it for his drug addiction. How can we help free people from their bondage and addictions when they won’t even help themselves? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 1 John 4:7-20. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this tell us about the priority of God’s love?

Apply: Think about what you have been forgiven and what it cost you to be forgiven by Jesus. What should this tell you about forgiving others?

Share: Your friend says she can never forgive her aunt for what she did to her and her family. It is beyond forgivable. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 15:12, 1 John 3:16, and 1 John 4:7-12. Ask the class to identify the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these passages teach about the relationship between God’s love, our love for God, and love for others?

Apply: What specific steps can you take to love God by loving others? What could you do today and in the coming days to show people God’s love and (eventually) invite them to enjoy what it means to have the promise of eternal life?

Share: Can you think of someone in your community who needs to be shown unconditional love? How can you show them God’s love this week?

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?