Daily Lesson for Wednesday 11th of March 2026

Having described the bad habits and negative qualities that are removed and put away when we come to Christ, Paul proceeds to the positive—like moving from darkness to light.

Image © Educational Concepts Collection at Goodsalt.com

Like Israel, called by God to be His special people and reflect His character, believers in Jesus are “the elect of God” (Colossians 3:12, NKJV), His “chosen ones” (ESV). Not all, though, live up to this calling. As Jesus said, “ ‘Many are called, but few are chosen ’ ” (Matthew 22:14; compare Matthew 24:22,24,31). Paul’s references to the elect have a similar meaning (Romans 8:33, 2 Timothy 2:10). Also, like Israel, believers are “loved” by God and “holy” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). This privilege carries with it an important responsibility: to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV). And we do that by how we live now.

The eight qualities mentioned by Paul are quite a list! “Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,” and “above all . . . love” (Colossians 3:12-14, NKJV). These can spring only from a heart united with Christ, because they describe His character and how He has dealt with us. We are to forgive others “even as Christ forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). Love is “the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14, NKJV), because it is His love toward us that binds us to Him and enables us to truly love others (1 John 4:11-12).

These qualities impact our relationships in two ways. First, showing love, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness toward others blesses us and others. It is fulfilling to love and bless others. People will normally respond to us in kind, and we continue to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness (Matthew 5:7, Matthew 6:14). Second, and more important, it glorifies God and may encourage others to believe and follow Jesus, because it shows the power of divine grace. “No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 470.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-11-character-of-the-new-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-11-character-of-the-new-life

Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, March 14, 2026.

Central Theme: This week we’ll see ways in which living with Christ can make a difference, now and eternally.

Read in Class: Colossians 3:1-6. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What condition does Paul indicate is necessary for us to be heavenly-minded? What do you think that means?

Apply: How do we experience what it means to be dead to self and to earthliness and alive to “those things which are above” (Col. 3:1)? See also Romans 6:1-7.

Share: Your friend asks, “How do we follow the words “mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth” (Col. 3:5)?” What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 3:6-11. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: How does Paul continue with this train of thought?

Apply: What does putting off the old man look like for you in everyday life? See also,  Romans 6:6 and Ephesians 4:22-24.

Share: Your friend complains that a kid from the church neighborhood, who is trying t find Jesus has joined her son’s youth Sabbath School class. Last week during prayer request time, he was talking about how frustrating his life is and accidently let a very bad word slip out. He apologized, and the teacher forgave him. Your friend thinks he should have been asked to leave the class. This is church after all! What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 3:12-14. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study:  How are believers described, and how do you think it relates to the qualities they are to “put on”?

Apply: How well are you representing Jesus in the way you treat others, especially those who may be unkind to you?

Share: Your friend says we hear too many sermons about forgiveness and need to hear more sermons about perfecting our character. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 3:16-17. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What specifically enables Christ to be in control, and what role does music play in all this?

Apply: We are told that whatever we do, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). Can you truly say that you do that? If not, how can you change; that is, what must you stop doing if you cannot do it in the name of the Lord?

Share: Your friend asks how the Word of God “dwells” in us. What do you tell your friend?

Mission: Think about the kind of influence your life has on others. And though we tend to think of this in the context of our individual influence, what about our influence as a Sabbath School Class? How does your local Sabbath School class impact your local community?

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/11-living-with-christ-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-living-with-christ-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan