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.

From the beginning of this week’s studies and throughout the week we learn so much about our Lord, Jesus Christ. We learn
Christ Is The World’s True Light – Hymn 345 and then, He is our Creator – 
Lord Of Creation – Hymn 320. This is followed by knowing 
By Christ Redeemed – Hymn 402 and that we can have faith in Him: 
My Faith Has Found A Resting Place – Hymn 523 and 
My Faith Looks Up To Thee – Hymn 512. 

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/8-the-preeminence-of-christ-singing-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=8-the-preeminence-of-christ-singing-with-inspiration

Key Thought: It is Jesus, who is also God the Creator, that we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins, Jesus delivers us from the power of darkness into the realm of light.
February 21 , 2026

1. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 10:1-4, Colossians 1:15-17.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What does Hebrews tell us about Jesus’ pre-existence before He was born into humanity?
3. Personal Application: Could an angel or exalted created being die for the sins of the whole world? Why not? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “If Jesus is God and the image of God, then why is He called the firstborn over all creation? How would Jesus be called the firstborn unless He was created at sometime in the past?” How would you respond to your relative?
   (Note: Firstborn here means the most important one, not the first one to be born. Jesus was neither born nor created in longtime past by God. The Bible is clear that He existed from the beginning. Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6 and is eternal. Like Melchizadec, He has no beginning nor end).

2. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 1:22, Colossians 2:10, and 1 Corinthians 11:3.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does the head mean in this passage? What does Paul mean when He calls Jesus the head of the church
3. Personal Application: Why is it important for every person in the church to be aware of their spiritual gifts and use them? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Jesus went back to heaven and is the invisible head of the church. But He gave Peter the keys to be the visible head of the church on earth. So the sucession of the popes provide a visible presence of Jesus to the church to determine doctrine and keep unity within the body.” How would you respond to your relative?

3. Have a volunteer read Colossians 1:18-20.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is the connection between Christ being the head and the beginning?
3. Personal Application: How do we change our mindsets and habits to make sure Jesus has the preeminence as head in our lives? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How does Jesus death on the cross reconcile us to God? What is the main focus of this message and the underlying implications that stem from this idea?” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 10:1-4, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What do these texts tell us about Jesus and His existence before His birth?
3. Personal Application: How do you explain the trimity from the Scripture to someone who doesn’t understand? Share your thoughts.
   (Note: Matthew 3:16,17 – Jesus is in the water, the Father speaks from heaven, and the Holy Spirit is in the air between heaven and earth in the form of a dove. I John 5:7. Genesis 11:7, John 10:31-33, John 14:8,9)
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/8-the-preeminence-of-christ-teaching-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=8-the-preeminence-of-christ-teaching-plan

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. Colossians 1:18 NLT

Several Years ago, a friend of mine and I went to the Bodies exhibit at the MOSI Museum in Tampa, where we saw real bodies on display. One of the exhibits featured a nerve that ran from the small toe up the spinal column to the brain. The moment the toe was injured, the message shot to the brain, which felt the pain instantly. 

Image © Phil McKay from GoodSalt.com

As I studied this exhibit, I thought of Colossians 1:18: Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and we are His body. I realized that just as the brain feels pain the moment the smallest body part is injured, so when the smallest member of the body of Christ is hurt, Jesus, Who is the Head of the body, is the first to feel the pain. 

No wonder why Jesus told Saul on the road to Damascus, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!” Acts 9:5 NLT. Jesus felt the pain of every member whom Saul persecuted. This is why Satan targets followers of Jesus.  Satan wants to hurt Jesus, and he knows the best way to hurt Jesus is to hurt the members of His body. There is consolation in this truth.

Many of us have experienced pain, trials and persecutions that others do not understand. This makes us feel lonely and isolated. But when we share in Jesus’ pain and persecution, we grow closer to Christ in understanding and gain an intimacy with Him that the world will never understand. This may be why Paul said,

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:10 -11NLT

Just like the toe cannot feel pain without the brain feeling pain, likewise, the smallest member of the body of Christ cannot hurt without Christ, Who is the Head, hurting with us. The toe cannot feel pain alone, and you cannot feel pain alone either. As soon as you are hurt, Christ is right beside you, sharing your pain. Or, since Satan is really trying to get at Christ, instead of saying He shares our pain, could it be said that we share His pain? If so then Jesus, Who had to tread the winpress alone, with no one to help Him, (Isaiah 63:3) is now no longer alone. Millions of persecuted saints are right there with Him. 

Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:13 NLT

Because of the connection between the little toe and the brain, neither the brain nor the toe is ever alone. Neither ever cries alone. Likewise, because of the connection the smallest member of the body of Christ has with Christ Himself, neither the smallest member nor Christ Himself ever cries alone in pain. We have a constant companion in our sufferings and in our glorious victories, 

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/the-intimate-and-sacred-privilege-of-suffering-with-christ/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-intimate-and-sacred-privilege-of-suffering-with-christ