Daily Lesson for Monday 5th of January 2026

Some years ago, there was a pastor who talked about prayers that revolve around me, me, me, and my needs or desires. He aptly characterized them as “selfish little prayers,” because God has bigger things in mind.

This prayer is only forty-three words in Greek, but it encapsulates all of Paul’s concerns, which he will expand on in the rest of the epistle: love, knowledge, discernment, being sincere, not causing offense, and the righteousness we have through Jesus Christ. Underlying this prayer, as well as Paul’s previous expressions of thanksgiving, is an emphasis on the church as a whole. Paul’s prayer is completely others-focused, on behalf of the whole church and for its well-being. Let’s look more closely at some of the individual elements of the prayer:

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

Love to abound more and more. Paul doesn’t just pray for more love but for love guided in a specific direction: “in knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9, NKJV). The reference to knowledge is not to merely intellectual knowledge but implies a knowledge of spiritual things that can be gained only by fellowship with God and study of His Word (see Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 4:13, 1 Timothy 2:4).

Discernment. This is explained by Paul as being able to “approve what is excellent” (distinguishing it from what is morally harmful) “and so be pure and blameless” (Philippians 1:10, ESV).

Being sincere. The word in Greek means “judged by the sunlight” and refers to an untainted purity of action: “Everything that Christians do should be as transparent as the sunlight.”—Ellen G. White, Reflecting Christ, p. 71.

Not causing offense. This means not being a stumbling block, not saying or doing anything that would make it more difficult for a person to believe.

Righteousness through Christ. Paul dwells at length on this in the epistles of Romans and Galatians and will expand on it also in Philippians 3:1-21. We have no righteousness of our own but only what we receive through Christ.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-02-pauls-prayer-requests/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-02-pauls-prayer-requests

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? 

Photo by Ye Jinghan on Unsplash

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? 

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/are-you-willing-to-be-imprisoned-for-jesus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=are-you-willing-to-be-imprisoned-for-jesus

The great lesson we learn from dear Paul this quarter is that we are to 
Stand Up! Stand Up For Jesus! – Hymn 618. This is a beautiful theme hymn to give us a great reminder of what we need in our world that is falling apart these days.

Throughout this week’s study time, there are a lot of hymns from which to choose which reflect all that Paul says with his thanks and the prayers: 
Hymn 276 – Thanks To God, 
Hymn 559 – Now Thank We All Our God, 
Hymn 566 – Father, We Thank You, 
Hymn 478 – Sweet Hour Of Prayer and 
Hymn 658 – Heavenly Father, Hear Our Prayer. Paul shows us how to love our gracious God and say 
O Love Of God, How Strong And True! – Hymn 79.

With all Paul’s thanks and prayers, he still says 
Go, Preach My Gospel – Hymn 378, all because 
I Know Whom I Have Believed – Hymn 511 (Thursday). This also shows another aspect of Paul’s strengths because he can say 
Only Trust – Hymn 279. We can learn these wonderful Christian (Christ-like) traits by requesting 
Give Me The Bible – Hymn 272 where I can learn so much. 

Further on Thursday, the Holy Spirit comes along to guide us: Hymn 260 – Hover O’er Me Holy Spirit and fill me now. This is all the more poignant as we see such Marvellous Grace – Hymn 109 from the loving Jesus Christ who taught so much to his disciples and can still be doing for us today.

Our dear sister Ellen White reminds us on Friday that 
I’m A Pilgrim – Hymn 444 and by faith we can receive an inheritance when we Trust And Obey – Hymn 590. 

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-reasons-for-thanksgiving-and-prayer-singing-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2-reasons-for-thanksgiving-and-prayer-singing-with-inspiration

Key Thought: We should be dependent on God. So our lives will be an outworking of His will. As we commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps.
January 10, 2026

1. Have a volunteer read Philippians 1:3-8.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What is Paul thankful for? What assurances does he give, and why is that important?
3. Personal Application: How do you understand that God will finish the good work He has begun in you? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What about your past week? Tell me what you had to be thankful for? Did you thank God for these things? Or did you now realize how much more thankful you could be than you realize? How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Philippians 1:9-11.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is Paul’s focus here, and what big requests does he make? What does this indicate about prayer?
3. Personal Application: Why is having our love abound more and more, and why is it so important for the Christian life? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How is your faith and prayer life? Do you ask God for big things in your life? Have you dedicated yourself to sharing the gospel and preparing people for the second coming? Are you sharing your love with others in tangible ways?” How would you respond to your relative?

3. Have a volunteer read Philippians 11:12-18.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How did Paul view his imprisonment? What lessons can we learn from his attitude?
3. Personal Application: Have you learned any lessons from experiences that were bad, but also brought out some benefits? How can we learn to trust God even if we don’t see benefits in our bad experiences? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “The church is full of negative nancys, pessimistic phils, and trembling timothys. That’s why the work is not moving forward as it should. Just like the Israelites in the desert. They were more concerned with what they didn’t have than what they had. We are more focused inward rather than outward. We are too worldly, selfish, confrontational than we should be..” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read Colossians 1:9-12

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What specific requests do you find in Paul’s prayer?
3. Personal Application: If someone asks you, “How do you know if God is leading you in one direction or another? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. ”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-reasons-for-thanksgiving-and-prayer-teaching-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2-reasons-for-thanksgiving-and-prayer-teaching-plan

Daily Lesson for Sunday 4th of January 2026

Read Philippians 1:3-8. What is Paul thankful for? What reas­surances does he give the Philippians, and why is that important?

Paul established the church in Philippi; thus, we can see the warmth of Christian fellowship pervading his letter. Though separated by hundreds of miles, Paul, chained and imprisoned, carries the church and its members on his heart; he longs for them “with the affection of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:8, NKJV); he gives thanks to God for them. Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving even gives a glimpse of Jesus’ intercession for us in heaven.

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

On the high priest’s breastplate were 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The people were to be “on his heart” as he interceded for them (Exodus 28:29, ESV). In an even greater way, as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, Jesus carries the names of His people with Him before the Father.

Interestingly, the wording of Philippians 1:3 is ambiguous, underscoring the close relationship between Paul and the Philippians. It’s usually translated that Paul remembers them in prayer, but it could also refer to their remembrance of him. In any case, it underscores the close mutuality they share, which the word “fellowship” (Greek: koinonia) also underscores. As Paul had fellowship in Christ’s sufferings (Philippians 3:10), the Philippians “shared” (Greek: sunkoinōneō) in Paul’s sufferings and shared financially to support Paul’s ministry (Philippians 4:14-15). This mutuality, which was “from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5), leads him to thank God for them and to pray for them “with joy” (Philippians 1:4).

Interestingly, Paul describes his prison setting quite positively—as providing opportunity for “the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (Philippians 1:7, NKJV). His use of these two legal terms suggests his trial is imminent, but also that Paul is actively engaging soldiers and visitors with the gospel. Defending it (Greek apologia) against attacks and confirming its eternal verities are both essential. Paul seems to care less about his own future than about vindication of the gospel itself. Whether he lives or dies, Paul is confident that God will finish the “good work” He has begun in all who trust in Him (Philippians 1:6).

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

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-02-fellowship-in-the-gospel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-02-fellowship-in-the-gospel

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