Prepared by William Earnhardt for you to use in Sabbath School class on April 25, 2026.
Central Theme: The Bible is not just a collection of proof texts. It is a love story about God’s love for you.
Photograph by William Earnhardt
Read in Class: 2 Timothy 3:15-17. Ask the class to identify the main point of this passage.
Study: How much of the Old and New Testaments are inspired, and where do we get our doctrines from?
Apply: When applying Bible teachings to our daily lives, how can we be sure that we are really following our conscience and not just our own preferences, in the way we interpret Scripture?
Share: Your friend says that the Adventist church stresses going by the Bible and not traditions. See Matthew 15:9. However, do we have some traditions that we are actually more cultural than Biblical? What do you tell your friend? See Cultural Influence and the Bible.
Read in Class: John 20:31. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.
Study: How should we study not only the book of John but the entire Bible? Do we read the Bible like a dictionary, which is just a collection of facts and definitions? Or do we read it like a love story? See The Bible is a Love Story, Not a Collection of Proof Texts.
Apply: How does reading the Bible as a love story instead of just a collection of proof texts helpt your relationship with God to grow?
Share: When sharing the Bible with others, how can we ensure each Bible study is a love story rather than simply giving them a list of proof texts on a given topic? See the In Light of the Cross Bible Study Guides.
Read in Class: Psalm 119:11, 105, and Hebrews 4:12. Ask the class to identify the common threads in these passages.
Study: What advice is given in these passages and how can we follow it?
Apply: How much time do you spend daily in the Bible, and how do you spend that time? What can you do to make that time the most spiritually profitable?
Share: Your friend asks you if remembering a certain Scripture has ever kepts you away from sin, What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: Job 22:22, Proverbs 3:5-6, and 1 Corinthians 2:14. Ask the class to identify the common threads in these passages.
Study: What kind of attitude do these Scriptures teach us to have while studying the Bible?
Apply: How open-minded are you while studying God’s Word? See Acts 17:11, Do you read the Bible ready to learn, or to “prove” what you think you already know?
Share: Your friend asks you why you need to pray before studying the Bible. What do you tell your friend? See Proverbs 3:5-6 and John 16:13.
Mission: Can you share a Bible study in the light of the cross with someone this week, and help them discover the love story in the Bible?
