Daily Lesson for Tuesday 30th of December 2025

During Paul’s second missionary journey, shortly after Timothy was added to the team, they are forbidden by the Holy Spirit to continue across Asia Minor (Acts 16:6). So, during a vision of the night, Paul sees a man pleading with him to “ ‘come over to Macedonia and help us’ ” (Acts 16:9, NKJV). So, immediately they head to the seaport nearest Macedonia and sail from Troas across the Aegean Sea to Neapolis, on the European continent. But rather than evangelize there, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke, who joined them at Troas (as indicated by the use of “we” in Acts 16:11), head to Philippi.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

In his evangelistic activity, Paul always thought strategically. Philippi was “the chief city of that part of Macedonia” (Acts 16:12). In fact, it was one of the most honored cities of the Roman Empire, being given the status of Ius Italicum—the highest possible designation a city could be granted. Its citizens had the same privileges as if the city were located in Italy, including exemption from the land tax and the poll tax, and anyone born in the city automatically became a Roman citizen. It was also an important stop along the Via Egnatia, which was the main overland road connecting Rome with the East. Establishing an important Christian presence there enabled them to bring the gospel to many other nearby cities, including Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, and Berea (see Acts 17:1,10).

Interestingly, the official language in first-century Philippi was Latin, evidenced by the predominance of Latin inscriptions. In Philippians 4:15, Paul even addresses them with a Latin-sounding name, Philippēsioi, apparently in recognition of their special Roman status. Nevertheless, Greek was the language of the marketplace and of the surrounding towns and cities and the means by which the gospel was spread. Luke describes how Paul and his team joined people for prayer by the riverside, where Lydia and her household were converted (Acts 16:13-15). Being a businesswoman (“a seller of purple”), she would have been one of the major financial sup­porters in Philippi of Paul’s ministry. The time Paul and Silas spent in prison there led to the conversion of another entire household—that of the jailer.

The Holy Spirit knew that Philippi would be the ideal beachhead for the spread of the gospel through Europe, even though there would also be persecution. However evil it is, persecution can, in certain circumstances, enable the gospel to reach people who otherwise might not be reached.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-01-paul-in-philippi/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-01-paul-in-philippi

Daily Lesson for Monday 29th of December 2025

While in Macedonia, Paul mentions multiple imprisonments (2 Corinthians 6:5, 2 Corinthians 11:23, 2 Corinthians 7:5). The first recorded instance was in Philippi (Acts 16:16-24). Later he was imprisoned in Jerusalem briefly before being transferred to prison in Caesarea.

Elsewhere, Paul mentions being “in my chains” (Philemon 1:10,13, NKJV). Although under house arrest in Rome, he was chained to an elite Roman soldier. Ignatius, a Christian of the early second century who was chained up like this, described the soldiers as behaving like “wild beasts . . . who only get worse when they are well treated.”—Michael W. Holmes, ed., The Apostolic Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), p. 231.

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

No matter how hard life got, Paul was able to see a brighter side, and that gave him courage to bear up under stress. Despite Satan hurling everything he could, Paul knew he was not forsaken.

Often, we may be tempted to look at our circumstances, our weaknesses, or our past failures and become discouraged. It’s at times like these that we need to remember all the amazing provisions God has made for our success in battling evil. One of the most important is the Bible itself, “the word of truth,” because we can learn from others’ mistakes and also learn how these people have succeeded. Also, the Holy Spirit “makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 671.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-01-paul-in-chains/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-01-paul-in-chains

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.

There are many times that Paul encourages us with his ability to be so positive in his trying circumstances and great service, and yet he still will say he rejoices: 
Hymn 599 – Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers.

While still in chains (Monday), Paul goes forward with his wonderful advice to 
Go, Preach My Gospel – Hymn 378. “Paul was able to see a brighter side, and that gave him courage to bear up under the stress”. I can question myself in all my worldly trials 
Am I A Soldier Of The Cross? – Hymn 609. To help with our daily toils and not become discouraged, we can ask 
Give Me The Bible – Hymn 272 to read about help and answers God will graciously give all the time. Then, we can 
Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart – Hymn 27.

There is more encouragement and advice from Paul as he keeps telling everyone to be faithful: 
Hymn 602 – O Brother, Be Faithful as we are welcomed into our 2026 Bible study times.

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/1-persecuted-but-not-forsaken-singing-with-inspiration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=1-persecuted-but-not-forsaken-singing-with-inspiration

Daily Lesson for Sunday 28th of December 2025

Philippians and Colossians are called Prison Epistles because they were written while Paul was in prison (the others are Ephesians and Philemon). Most commentators think they were written while Paul was in Rome, about a.d. 60–62 (see Acts 28:16).

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

Paul has given his life in service to Jesus Christ. If that service includes being a prisoner, he is ready. Paul describes himself as “an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:20, NKJV). He had been on missionary journeys, raising up churches and training workers for the Lord. He may have asked, “Why am I here when I could be doing so much more without these chains?” Paul was also imprisoned later, when he wrote 2 Timothy, which is considered a Pastoral Epistle. So at least five books of the New Testament were written while he was in prison.

In none of the prison epistles does Paul mention exactly where he was imprisoned; thus, some have suggested either Ephesus or Caesarea. But there is no biblical evidence that Paul was ever imprisoned in Ephesus. Caesarea might seem a more likely possibility, except there is no apparent threat to Paul’s life in this city. There definitely is that threat, however, by the time Philippians was written (see Philippians 1:20, Philippians 2:17).

This epistle gives us some other clues as to where Paul was at the time of his imprisonment. First, there was a praetorium. This can refer to a provincial governor’s official residence, like the one in Jerusalem, where Jesus was examined by Pilate (Matthew 27:27, John 18:33), and in Caesarea, where Paul was imprisoned (Acts 23:35). But Paul clearly uses this term not of a place but in reference to people. He says “the whole palace guard” became familiar with the gospel (Philippians 1:13, NKJV). In Rome, these were elite soldiers, about fourteen thousand, who protected the emperor and guarded his prisoners.

Second, Paul also sends greetings from the believers in “Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22). This indicates that Paul was a prisoner in Rome and in contact with those who served the imperial household.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-01-paul-the-prisoner-of-jesus-christ/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-01-paul-the-prisoner-of-jesus-christ

Daily Lesson for Sabbath 27th of December 2025

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

Ephesians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Acts 9:16; Philemon 1:15-16; Colossians 4:9; Philippians 1:1-3; Colossians 1:1-2.

Memory Text:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NKJV).

An Adventist pastor, imprisoned on false charges, spent nearly two years behind bars. Though at first greatly perplexed, he realized the prison was his God-given mission field. When his fellow prisoners learned that he was a pastor, they asked him to preach. He did, and he gave out literature too. He even baptized prisoners and conducted Communion services.

“At times,” he admitted, “it was difficult ministering in the prison, but there was also joy, especially when you saw prayers answered and lives changed.”

Paul wrote Philippians and Colossians from prison (see Philippians 1:7, Colossians 4:3). In fact, in Philippi itself, after Paul and Silas were unjustly accused, the jailer put “their feet in the stocks” (Acts 16:24, NKJV). At midnight, they were “praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25, NKJV; emphasis supplied). Truly they knew how to “rejoice always.”

This week we’ll look at the circumstances that Paul faced. He saw a larger purpose for what happened to him, and perhaps we can learn from him when we, as we inevitably do, face our own trials.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 3.

Sunday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-01-persecuted-but-not-forsaken/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-01-persecuted-but-not-forsaken