Tag / Uniting Heaven and Earth the Churches of Philippi amd Colossae

by In Light Of The Cross

Are You Willing to be Imprisoned for Jesus?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, Philippians 1:12 NKJV

While no one wants to go to prison, especially if falsely accused of a crime they did not commit, would it be worth it to you to be falsely accused and sentenced to jail if you could lead just one person there to eternal salvation? 

In Philippians, Paul says that his imprisonment actually helped spread the Gospel and encouraged others to be bold in spreading it. Acts 16 also mentions Paul and Silas being imprisoned in Philippi. They were singing songs of praise while the other prisoners were listening. If you were wrongfully imprisoned, would you be singing songs and praising God? I hope so, because something extraordinary happened. An earthquake opened up the prison. Instead of running for it, Paul and Silas ministered to the correctional officer and led him to salvation. You can read this fantastic story in Acts 16:25-34. 

Much more recently, the Christian Post, among other Christian news agencies, has shared the testimony of a Chinese woman known as Sister Tong. Chinese officials arrested her for having an underground church in her home. After serving her 6-month sentence, instead of complaining, she was beaming with joy about the women’s ministry she had begun right there in prison. Like Paul, being in prison helped sister Tong spread the Gospel and has inspired others in countries where Christianity is illegal to be bolder in spreading it as well. 

When you consider that Jesus left heaven to come to this cold, dark world to live and die to save others eternally, is there any place that is too cold or dark for you to go and save others? Jesus did not complain about coming to this cold, dark world to live and die, but came willingly. See John 10:17-18. Likewise, Paul and Silas were not protesting or pleading their innocence while in prison. They were praising the Lord. What a testimony to the warden and other prisoners! And more recently, instead of complaining about the terrible living conditions in a Chinese prison, Sister Tong beams with joy over being able to lead several women prisoners to Jesus and salvation. 

Paul, Silas, and Sister Tong not only endured prison and persecution to save others eternally, but did so joyfully. Is there any place you are unwilling to go joyfully to lead others to eternal salvation? 

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

2: Reasons for Thanksgiving and Prayer-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, Sabbath, 10 January 2026.

Central Theme: This week, we’ll consider Paul’s opening words of thanksgiving and prayer in Philippians and Colossians, which may enrich and strengthen our own prayer life.

Read in Class: Philippians 1:3-8. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What is Paul thankful for? What reassurances does he give the Philippians, and why is that important?

Apply: How do you understand the promise that God will finish the “good work in you” (Phil. 1:6)? What does that mean? Will this work ever end before the Second Coming?

Share: Who are some people in your life that you thank God for, and why?

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

Study: What is the focus of Paul’s prayer, and what big requests does he make? What does it tell you about prayer?

Apply: Whatever else we do, how can our love “abound still more and more” (Phil. 1:9, NKJV)? Why is that so important for the Christian life? (See also 1 Cor. 13:1-8.)

Share: Your friend says that she tries to be sincere and not offend others, but the people she works with are too sensitive and easily offended. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:12-18. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: How did Paul view his imprisonment? What lessons can we learn from his attitude, despite the circumstances he found himself in?

Apply: What lesson have you learned from experiences that, though unquestionably bad, also brought about some benefits? Even in cases in which a benefit might not be apparent, how can we learn to trust God regardless?

Share: Your friend asks, “What selfish motivations could possibly drive someone to share the gospel, and how should we respond to them?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 1:3-12. Ask the class to summarize this passage.

Study: What three things does Paul thank God for? What specific requests do you find in Paul’s prayer?

Apply: In Colossians 1:5, Paul writes about “the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.” What is your understanding of that hope, and why does it apply to you personally, even though you are truly unworthy?

Share: If someone were to ask you, “How do you know that God is leading you in one direction or another?” how would you answer–and why?

Mission: Can you reach out to someone this week who is going through a tough time and offer encouragement?

by In Light Of The Cross

1: Paul in Chains-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, 3 January 2026.

Central Theme: This week, we’ll look at the circumstances that Paul faced. He saw a larger purpose for what happened to him, and perhaps we can learn from him when we, as we inevitably do, face our own trials.

Read in Class: Ephesians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, and 2 Corinthians 6:3-7.

Study: How was Paul able to endure the trials that he faced? What seemed to be the focus of his entire life?

Apply: What spiritual resources were available to Paul to help him endure his trials? What resources do you use to endure your trials?

Share: Your friend asks, “What does it mean in 2 Corinthians 6:4 to commend yourself as a minister of God? What does that mean? Is this just talking about paid ministers?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Acts 9:10-16. Ask the class what is happening in this passage.

Study: How does this help us to understand some of Paul’s trials? How may it help us to understand some of our own?

Apply: Not only was Paul persecuted for his faith, but he also had persecuted others for their faith. When we are being mistreated, does it ever open our eyes to how we may have mistreated others? What lessons can we learn from our own suffering?

Share: Can you share a trial that you endured that helped you see and experience the goodness of God in a way you never had before?

Read in Class: Philemon 1:15-16, Colossians 4:9. Ask the class to identify the main idea of these passages.

Study: What course did Paul urge Philemon to take with Onesimus?

Apply: How do you stay focused on your calling in the Lord when others disrespect you and treat you less than a brother or sister?

Share: Your friend notes that in Daniel 5:13, the king is condescending toward Daniel, even after all Daniel had done, when he simply refers to him as a captive slave. Yet Daniel seemed to just shrug it off. Still, your friend asks you why God allows his people to be so disrespected. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Philippians 1:1-2, 12-18. Ask the class to summarize these passages.

Study: How is the church in Philippi described in these passages, and what was their concern for Paul? During Paul’s persecution, what was the overarching purpose that enabled him to endure?

Apply: What was Paul focused on that helped him to rejoice even while enduring persecution? How should this allow us to focus and even rejoice when we are being persecuted?

Share: What trials were you able to endure once you saw the larger purpose behind your trials? How did seeing the larger purpose help Jesus to endure what He suffered for us on the cross? See Isaiah 53:3-11, and Hebrews 12:2-3.