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2: Reasons for Thanksgiving and Prayer — Teaching Plan

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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

Understanding for All

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The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130.

The Word of God presents the most potent means of education, as well as the most valuable source of knowledge, within the reach of humanity. The understanding adapts itself to the dimensions of the subjects with which it is required to deal. If occupied with trivial, commonplace matters only, never summoned to earnest effort to comprehend great and eternal truths, it becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. Hence the value of the Scriptures as a means of intellectual culture. Their perusal in a reverent and teachable spirit will expand and strengthen the mind as no other study can. They lead directly to the contemplation of the most exalted, the most ennobling, and the most stupendous truths that are presented to the human mind. They direct our thoughts to the infinite Author of all things.

We see revealed the character of the Eternal and listen to His voice as He communes with patriarchs and prophets. We see explained the mysteries of His providence, the great problems which have engaged the attention of every thoughtful mind, but which, without the aid of revelation, human intellect seeks in vain to solve. They open to our understanding a simple yet sublime system of theology, presenting truths which a child may grasp but which are yet so far reaching as to baffle the powers of the strongest mind….

Our Savior did not ignore learning or despise education, yet He chose unlearned fishermen for the work of the gospel because they had not been schooled in the false customs and traditions of the world. They were men of good natural ability and of a humble, teachable spirit; men whom He could educate for His great work….

The learned lawyers, priests, and scribes scorned to be taught by Christ. They desired to teach Him, and frequently made the attempt, only to be defeated by the wisdom that laid bare their ignorance and rebuked their folly. In their pride and bigotry, they would not accept the words of Christ, yet they were surprised at the wisdom with which He spake…. But the words and deeds of the humble Teacher, recorded by the unlettered companions of His daily life, have exerted a living power upon the minds of men and women from that day to the present.—The Review and Herald, September 25, 1883.
From the Heart p. 15
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Prayer Requests
—-My Grandson Armonie is in the Hospital with Pneumonia. Say a Prayer for him. Melisa
—-Asking for prayers for our family, my husband is dealing with cancer and now kidney/liver issues. Dottie
—-Please pray for a church member who has cancer. Buck
—-Please pray that they can find my purse at the hospital. Ever since my surgery on Tuesday i haven’t been able to find my purse. I don’t think they put it in my car at the hospital. Debra
—-I’d like to ask for prayer for my mom. We just recently found out that she has a mass on her pancreas. She went to the doctor told her that before they can do surgery she has to get a few things done first. And they’re going to take part of her stomach as well when they do the surgery. They also found a spot on her lung we don’t know what they’re going to do with that just yet. Bob
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, Eileen worked for a private nursing home. One early in the morning, she got a call from one of the other workers. The lady who worked the day shift wanted to trade working times. Her daughter had fallen and she needed to take her to the doctor for stitches. Since Eileen had traded with her before, she said okay.

Unfortunately, the woman never showed up to work Eileen’s shift so she had to work both shifts. She was so exhausted that she wasn’t sure she could stay awake long enough to drive home, so she called to talk to her until she got home.

How much we need our Heavenly Father to “talk to us all the way home.” He reminds us, “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

How His Great Heart of Love must ache as He watches us struggling day by day without Him. He would love to take complete control of our situation and make it all right, but He will not force us to allow Him to do so. Instead, He waits to be asked to take control. Without Jesus dwelling within us, speaking to us through His Holy Word, guiding us to His Heavenly Home all our efforts to get there are in vain. Solomon commented on such a life, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecc. 3:2, 14, 17

Praise God! If we call upon Him, He is more willing to give us the help we so desperately. If we allow Him too, He will give us the comfort and rest that we so much need in these frantic times. Beyond that, He will change us into His image and give our life true meaning.

May we allow our Dear Saviour to take complete control of our life and guide us all the way home is my prayer.

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/understanding-for-all.html

Sunday: Fellowship in the Gospel

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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.

Paul Writing

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

We’re Very Grateful!

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On behalf of the Board of Directors, leaders, and staff of Adventist Today, I want to express gratitude to our readers and supporters for your support of our successful year-end fund raising efforts. You have been most generous in ensuring our ongoing mission. Thank you! In 2025, Adventist Today has undertaken projects and initiatives that […] Source: https://atoday.org/we-are-very-grateful/

Sabbath: Reasons for Thanksgiving and Prayer

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Daily Lesson for Sabbath 3rd of January 2026

Saints Praying

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study: Philippians 1:1-18, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, Jeremiah 17:9, Colossians 1:1-12, 1 Peter 1:4, Psalms 119:105, Isaiah 30:21.

Memory Text:

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV).

Paul quite intentionally begins his epistles with words of ­greeting—and thanksgiving. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Colossians 1:2-3, NKJV).

We, like Paul, have much to be thankful for. We have experienced God’s grace in profound ways—ways that even angels cannot comprehend. The same is true of God’s gift of peace, which embraces harmony with God and the hope flowing from God’s love.

On a human level, we can give and show appreciation to others and hope that people appreciate the things we do for them. Parents pray that their children will love God and appreciate someday, if not now, the real sacrifices they’ve made to give them the best upbringing they could. But, as human beings, we make many mistakes, and we learn from them (or at least we should).

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.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 10.

Sunday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-02-reasons-for-thanksgiving-and-prayer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-02-reasons-for-thanksgiving-and-prayer

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