Photograph by William Earnhardt

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class on July 11.

Key Text: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV).

Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 1:17-27.

Study: What was the main focus and goal of Paul’s ministry? How does this passage help us gauge the success of our ministries?

Apply: What role does the cross play in your everyday decision-making? How often and when do you think about the cross throughout the day?

Share: While sharing Jesus with others, in what ways can elaborate discourses obscure the message of the Cross? Why did the proclamation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified produce more fruit in Corinth than logic, science, and philosophy did in Athens? Might there, however, be times that logic, philosophy, and science could be helpful in proclaiming the gospel?

Read in Class: Colossians 1:20 and 1 Peter 2:24.

Study: What did Jesus accomplish for us on the cross?

Apply: How has Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross helped you live for what is right, and how have His stripes healed you?

Share: Your friend asks if unfallen angels needed to be reconciled by the cross? If so, why? What do you tell your friend? For a hint, see Why Did Heaven Need to be Reconciled?

Read in Class: Acts 13:26,38, 47.

Study: What does this passage teach us about the meaning of the Cross?

Apply: A crucified Messiah was something completely unexpected by the Jews and the Greeks. What does this tell us about the fact that God does not always act the way we expect? Why is this an important concept to grasp, especially when things don’t go as we have expected?

Share: Your friend asks you if Gentiles and unbelievers have already benefited from the cross, and if so, how? What do you tell your friend? For a hint, see He Grew the Tree That He Knew Would be Used to Make the Old Rugged Cross.

Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 1:24-29.

Study: Notice the words there, such as “foolishness,” “weak,” “power,” and “wise.” What point is he making?

Apply: Dwell on the words “that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Cor. 1:26, NKJV). What message is there for us?

Share: Your friend asks how the foolishness of God is wiser than men. What do you tell your friend?

Mission: Can you find someone to present the Gospel to this week?

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-the-message-of-the-cross-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2-the-message-of-the-cross-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan

Oh, the beauty of studying this quarter’s lessons. We will learn so much of the Love of God (and our Saviour, Jesus) which stands out in so many pages of this quarter. Trying to choose just one hymn for the Theme Hymn was almost impossible, but these ones stood out all through the lesson pamphlet from which you may choose:  
Hymn 79 – O Love Of God, 
Hymn 349 – God Is Love and then in seeing God’s amazing love we can
Hymn 600 – Hold Fast and 
Hymn 602 – O Brother, Be Faithful.

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-the-message-of-the-cross-singing-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2-the-message-of-the-cross-singing-with-inspiration

This week’s Sabbath School lesson is a classic example of why every Bible Study must be presented in light of the cross. 

Photograph by William Earnhardt

The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and regeneration, salvation and redemption,—the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers. –Ellen White, Gospel Workers, Page 315.

We are not saved by doctrine. We are saved by God’s love and grace. So why does Satan work to skew our understanding of doctrine when he knows we are not saved by doctrine? Because doctrines help us understand God’s love. Our understanding of His love determines whether we accept Him or reject Him. Satan wants to skew our understanding of doctrine in order to warp our understanding of God’s love and make us reject Him.

For example I have read a few testimonies from former atheists saying the reason they originally rejected God was because they could not imagine a God who would torture people throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Once they realized God isn’t going to torture people for all eternity they could accept God into their lives.

I read a book last fall, To Sleep with the Angels, by David Cowan and John Kuenster.1 It was about a Chicago Catholic school fire in 1958. The book explains several reasons that were avoidable that led to the deaths of 92 students and 3 teachers. The authors also address how the church tried to comfort the parents, but their “comfort” did not make any sense. Parents were told that God needed their children. “But we needed them,” the parents countered. Also, does that reasoning imply God doesn’t need the children who survived? Parents were told that God took their children to heaven because they were so good. “Does that mean the rest of us are bad and God rejected us?’ parents asked.

The punishment of the wicked and the state of the dead are just a couple of examples of how false doctrines warp our understanding of God’s love. This is why a few years ago I put together a set of Bible study guides called, In Light of the Cross Study Guides. They are available on my personal website. The lessons can be read online or downloaded and printed out in PDF format. Over the years, people have written and told me they have been used in church Bible study groups as well as New Believers Sabbath School classes. They have also been used as guides and supplements in baptismal classes. Recently a family from Tennessee wrote that they were enjoying the lessons during family worship.

I originally prepared these study guides using the King James Version, but have found using them along with the New Living Translation to be more successful in encouraging new believers to study their Bibles. During many years of giving Bible studies, I have met so many people who struggle with reading in general. Many times I have watched them struggle reading the KJV, realizing once they finally stumbled through a passage, that they did not even comprehend what they just read. For new believers, especially those who struggle with reading in general, the NLT is easier to read and understand. 

I pray these lessons may be a blessing to you and your friends as we study all Bible doctrine in the light of the cross.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/why-every-bible-study-must-be-a-study-about-the-cross/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-every-bible-study-must-be-a-study-about-the-cross