Daily Lesson for Wednesday 18th of February 2026

In Hebrew the words for head (roʾš) and beginning (rēʾšît) are related. The first instance of the latter word in Scripture is in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning [rēʾšît] God created the heaven and the earth.” Jesus is head of humanity and of the church, not only because of the Incarnation but also because He is the Creator.

Image © John Baker at Goodsalt.com

In Greek, the word for beginning (archē) has a broad meaning. Here, “beginning” refers to Jesus as the source or initiator of the church (Colossians 1:18), and therefore its Head, just as He is the “beginning” or initiator of Creation.

Jesus is not only the initiator in terms of Creation and the church, He is also—through His resurrection from the dead (Romans 6:3-4)—the initiator of the new creation. Because the wages of sin is death, His victory over death also shows His victory over sin and His power to re-create us in His image. All this demonstrates why He is “the firstborn from the dead” (on the meaning of “firstborn,” see Monday’s study). His is the preeminent resurrection, even though not the first (Moses was the first, which is why the dispute with the devil ensued over his body [Jude 1:9]). Without Christ’s resurrection, no one else could be raised from the dead.

It’s helpful at this point to review briefly all the reasons Paul has given for Jesus having preeminence:

1. He is the perfect manifestation of the invisible God.

2. He is the agent by whom all things were created.

3. He existed before all things, and all things are brought together in Him.

4. He is the head of the church, which is His body.

5. He is the initiator of Creation and the re-creation.

6. He has conquered sin and death and thus earned the right to resurrect all who put their trust in Him as Savior.

7. Jesus has always existed, but now, by virtue of all this, He has come to have the preeminence as Head of humanity and Head of the church.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-08-the-beginning-and-initiator/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-08-the-beginning-and-initiator

View an in-depth discussion of The Preeminence of Christ in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 17th of February 2026

It is natural to speak of the head in a metaphorical sense in reference to a leadership position, as reflected in countless languages across the globe. We find similar use throughout the Old and New Testaments. Notice how “head” is used in the following verses:

1. Exodus 18:25—Moses chose “able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”

2. Numbers 31:26—“the heads of the fathers’ houses” (ESV).

3. Deuteronomy 28:13—God will make Israel “the head, and not the tail” if they will obey Him.

4. Isaiah 7:8—“For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin.”

5. Hosea 1:11—“The children of Judah and the children of Israel shall . . . appoint for themselves one head” (NKJV).

6. Micah 3:9—“You heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel” (NKJV).

7. 1 Corinthians 11:3—“The head of every man is Christ.”

Thus, Christ as the head of the church provides leadership, guidance, and nourishment for the church’s unity and growth (see Colossians 2:19).

Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com

Just as the body cannot live without the head, when a part of the body is lost or injured, life can be much more difficult. We often don’t recognize how important something is until we lose it.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-08-head-of-the-body-the-church/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-08-head-of-the-body-the-church

Daily Lesson for Monday 16th of February 2026

In the New Testament, the terms “firstborn” and “first begotten” almost always refer to Jesus (see Luke 2:7, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 1:6, Revelation 1:5), including both occurrences in Colossians. But even when it refers to others, it does not necessarily mean the one born chronologically first. The biblical concept of the “firstborn” emphasizes the special relationship a son bears to his father, regardless of birth order. Also, there are instances of younger sons being more prominent: Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, to name a few.

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

David, though the youngest of eight sons, is anointed king (1 Samuel 16:10-13), and through the psalmist God said, “I will make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth” (Psalms 89:27, NKJV). He also tells Moses, “Israel is my firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22, ESV). In this sense, then, the term connotes first in terms of preeminence.

Clearly, Paul does not mean to suggest that Jesus was the first being created. In fact, he categorically excludes that possibility. Twice, in two different ways, he says Jesus created all things. They were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). In both cases, Jesus is indicated as the personal agent through whom God carried out the process of Creation (see also Ephesians 3:9, John 1:1-3, Revelation 4:11).

Paul’s statement is as comprehensive as possible. All means all—spatially (heaven and earth), ontologically (visible and invisible), and functionally (thrones, dominions, principalities, powers). The latter terms normally refer to angelic beings (see Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 6:12). As if to make sure he cannot be misunderstood, Paul also indicates that Jesus existed “before all things” (Colossians 1:17). The Greek expression can mean precedence in rank as well as in time, but in every other instance in Paul’s writings, it refers to time (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Galatians 1:17, Ephesians 1:4).

Another reason Paul gives for Jesus’ preeminence is that “all things are held together in him” (Colossians 1:17, NET). The Greek word (synistēmi) literally means “bring together” or “unite.” Jesus is the unifying factor of the universe, not only because of His role as Creator but also because He is the Redeemer.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-08-firstborn-over-all-creation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-08-firstborn-over-all-creation

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