Daily Lesson for Sabbath 31st of January 2026

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study: Philippians 3:1-16; Romans 2:25-29; John 9:1-39; Ephesians 1:4,10; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Memory Text:

“That I may know Him and the power of His resur­rection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11, NKJV).

There’s something about us that remains suspicious about salvation by faith alone, apart from the works of the law. That is, for some reason, we all tend to lean on our works, as if they could add to our salvation. In a rather striking way, Paul deals with this point in a vigorous polemic against those who insist that circumcision is necessary for salvation.

To guard against the possibility that some might consider their works, such as circumcision, as contributing to their salvation, Paul makes it clear that righteousness is from Christ as a gift that comes by faith, not by the law. Though circumcision might not be an issue today, the principle it deals with certainly is.

The Protestant Reformation itself started over this very issue: the role of faith and works in the experience of a follower of Christ. In the end, Christ is everything to us, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). If our priorities are in the right place, we will live with the assurance of God’s love and enjoy the promise, even now, of salvation, all while placing “no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 7.

Sunday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-06-confidence-only-in-christ/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-06-confidence-only-in-christ

Inside Story for Friday 30th of January 2026

By Olivia Fairfax

Marovo Lagoon tribesmen were considered the most warlike and cannibalistic of the Solomon Island tribes. They worshiped the spirits of their ancestors, whose skulls were kept after death. They lived in fear of the devil.

But around 1902, a Marovo chief named Tatagu began to wonder if he really needed to fear the devil. He decided to find out and not to attach a vine to the prow of his canoe on a fishing expedition. Vines were supposed to appease the devil and ensure a good catch. Without the vine, the fishing trip was a huge success. Chief Tatagu returned home to find a newborn son. He named the boy Kata Ragoso, which means “no devil strings.”

Kata Ragoso’s life would go on to reveal God’s power to transform a community and remove the strings and ties that the devil had over people.

Image © Pacific Press

Kata Ragoso grew up at a time when dishonest European traders enticed Solomon Islanders into their ships with foreign goods to kidnap them as slaves. But in 1914, when Kata Ragoso was about 12, a small white boat called the Advent Herald sailed into Marovo Lagoon. The crew didn’t try to entice or kidnap. Instead, Captain Griffiths F. Jones asked Chief Tatagu for land for a school. The next year, a school was built at Sasaghana, and Kata Ragoso enrolled as one of its first 23 students. At the school, he accepted Jesus and was among the first 10 Solomon Islanders to be baptized in 1918. He went on to work as a mission teacher, translator, and printing press operator. In 1935, he was ordained as an Adventist minister.

During World War II, Kata Ragoso was placed in charge of the Adventist work in the Solomon Islands. When the Japanese army invaded, they ordered him to kill people with white skin and from the Allied forces. For declaring that he would rather obey God than man, he was interrogated, flogged, and ordered shot. The interrogating officer, who had a strong dislike for the Adventist Church, instructed the firing squad to shoot at the count of three. He counted, “One, two . . .” but was unable to say “three.” He tried many times before giving up. After 10 days in prison, Kata Ragoso escaped. For the rest of the war, he led a rescue operation for Allied soldiers whose planes or ships were attacked. He rescued 27 U.S. pilots and 187 Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

Kata Ragoso died in 1964 at the age of 62, having served the church for 37 years. During that time, he saw the Marovo transformed from a warring community into a merciful people serving God.

This quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath mission projects are in the South Pacific Division, whose territory includes the Solomon Islands. Thank you for planning a generous offering in March.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-05-inside-story-no-devil-strings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-05-inside-story-no-devil-strings

Daily Lesson for Friday 30th of January 2026
Further Thought

“The one who stands nearest to Christ will be he who on earth has drunk most deeply of the spirit of His self-sacrificing love,—love that ‘vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, .

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

. . seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil’ (1 Corinthians 13:4-5),—love that moves the disciple, as it moved our Lord, to give all, to live and labor and sacrifice, even unto death, for the saving of humanity. This spirit was made manifest in the life of Paul. He said, ‘For to me to live is Christ;’ for his life revealed Christ to men; ‘and to die is gain,’—gain to Christ; death itself would make manifest the power of His grace, and gather souls to Him. ‘Christ shall be magnified in my body,’ he said, ‘whether it be by life or by death.’ Philippians 1:20-21.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 549.

“The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. . . .

“When multitudes of false brethren are distinguished from the true, then the hidden ones will be revealed to view, and with hosannas range under the banner of Christ. Those who have been timid and self-distrustful will declare themselves openly for Christ and His truth. The most weak and hesitating in the church will be as David—willing to do and dare. The deeper the night for God’s people, the more brilliant the stars. Satan will sorely harass the faithful; but, in the name of Jesus, they will come off more than conquerors.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, Pages 81, 82.

Discussion Questions

<–Thursday

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-05-further-thought-shining-as-lightsin-the-night/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-05-further-thought-shining-as-lightsin-the-night

Daily Lesson for Thursday 29th of January 2026

Epaphroditus is mentioned only in this letter, but we learn quite a bit about him from the few brief mentions that appear. Judging from his name (which refers to the cult of Aphrodite), he was converted from a pagan background. Calling him a “fellow worker” suggests he was active in ministry, perhaps working alongside Paul in Philippi. Being a “fellow soldier” (compare Philippians 1:27) probably refers to conflict Epaphroditus faced in spreading the gospel, willing even to risk his life (Philippians 2:30).

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

As the “messenger” (Greek: apostolos) appointed by the church in Philippi, Epaphroditus is sent to minister to Paul in prison and to care for any other needs he may have (Philippians 2:25). He was the one the Philippians entrusted with their financial gifts for Paul (Philippians 4:18). These offerings were critically important because whatever food, clothing, bedding, or other necessities Roman prisoners might need would have to be purchased at their own expense or brought to them by family and friends (compare Acts 24:23). Near the end of his second imprisonment in Rome, Paul asked Timothy to “do your utmost to come before winter” and “bring the cloak” left at Troas (2 Timothy 4:13,21, NKJV). Paul would apparently need this thick woolen overcoat in his cold stone cell. It was also Epaphroditus who was entrusted with carrying this epistle back to Philippi (see Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 479).

Perhaps because of the problems in Philippi (see Lesson 4), Paul “considered it necessary” to send Epaphroditus back sooner than anticipated, and thus urges the Philippians to “welcome him in the Lord with great joy” (Philippians 2:29, NIV). Paul wants to make sure they do not worry about his own situation in jail. He also underscores that Epaphroditus is the kind of person Christians are to hold in high esteem, not because of their wealth or social status but because of their sacrificial spirit in following the example of Jesus (Philippians 2:6-11,29-30; compare Luke 22:25-27). The Greek word for esteem or honor appears only a few times in the New Testament: for the centurion’s servant who was “valued highly” (Luke 7:2, NRSV), for those who are shown honor by their placement at a feast (Luke 14:8), and of Jesus as the “precious” cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4,6). For Epaphroditus to be included in that group, he must have been, indeed, a faithful man.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-05-hold-such-men-in-esteem/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-05-hold-such-men-in-esteem

Introduction: Have you ever interacted with a stranger and thought, “This person must be a Christian?” On the other hand, have you worked with someone who showed no sign of being a Christian, but you later found out was a Christian? When I was in college, I spent one summer working in a trailer factory. The crew I worked with knew I attended Andrews University, an overtly Christian school, and they constantly gave me a hard time, specifically targeting my religious beliefs. I determined to prove that I was a serious worker to earn their respect. That happened, and at the end of the summer, the crew chief apologized for all the harassment and confessed that he was a Sunday school teacher! His light was hard to discern. This week, our study is about letting our Christian lights shine. Let’s get into it!

I. Working Out Our Salvation?

A. Read Philippians 2:12. Who thinks that he can “work out” his salvation as long as he works very hard? (This sounds very strange coming from the Apostle Paul, who also wrote Romans 3:20.)

B. Read Philippians 2:13. Wait a minute! Now Paul tells us that God will both “work” our will and our actions so that we do the right thing. This seems completely contrary to Philippians 2:12. How do you reconcile these two verses? (If we look closely at Philippians 2:12, Paul suggests that the Philippians should be able to understand God’s will (work out their salvation) without Paul’s help. The issue is not God versus the church member when it comes to salvation. Rather, the issue is whether the church member can understand God even if Paul is absent.)

1. What, exactly, do you think Paul means when he says that God will “work” both our will and our work to advance God’s pleasure? (This sounds like the Paul I know. The Holy Spirit not only directs our will, but changing our will changes our actions. It is totally a “God thing.”)

II. Shining Lights

A. Read Philippians 2:14. Does this sound like you?

1. Let me get in trouble right away by disputing the idea that we should never get into a dispute. Do you think Paul means that we must always agree?

B. Read Exodus 32:9-12. Is Moses disputing God?

C. Read Exodus 32:14. Does Moses win the dispute with God? (He does.)

1. If there is anyone with whom you should always agree, that would be God. Yet Moses is politely arguing with God. In light of this, how should we understand Paul’s “no dispute” advice? (John MacArthur’s Commentary teaches that the underlying Greek word for dispute means criticizing or questioning God. That would reflect an underlying mistrust of God. Moses was not expressing any mistrust of God.)
2. With the understanding provided by John MacArthur, are Christians free to disagree with one another? (It seems so. Paul appears to be saying don’t grumble or dispute over what God is doing in your life.)

D. Read Philippians 2:15-16. When Paul writes that we are to be “blameless and innocent,” and “without blemish,” does that sound like you?

1. If it does not sound like you, are you discouraged?

E. How does Philippians 2:16 suggest that we can walk toward being blameless, innocent, and unblemished? (By “holding fast to the word of life.”)

1. The picture I see is one group who is “crooked and twisted,” and another group who is being changed by God and who holds fast to God’s word – the Bible. Does that encourage you? (Many of the discouraging things I see in life reflect views and actions that are contrary to the teachings of the Bible.)
2. What does Paul tell us is part of his reward for his work? (He looks forward to seeing those for whom he has worked in heaven.)
3. Ask yourself about your life. Do you see people who are changed for the better because of you?

F. Philippians 2:15 talks about the Philippians being “lights.” What makes them shining lights?

1. Some Christians aggressively evangelize co-workers. Is that what Paul describes? (He contrasts the light of Christians who seek to please God against the background darkness of the crooked and twisted generation. If you walk in accordance with the will of God, you will be noticed for your goodness.)

III. Drink Offering

A. Read Philippians 2:17-18. Paul paints his death at the hands of the Romans as something to create gladness and rejoicing. How would you explain this? (Paul sees that his life has been worthwhile. His death is not a random one; rather, it comes as part of his sacrifice to advance the Kingdom of God.)

B. In Philippians 2:17, Paul says that his sacrifice is “poured” on the “sacrificial offering” of the Philippians’ faith. What sacrifices do you think the Philippians are offering?

1. Is it money?
2. Is it serving others?
3. Is it giving up their goals for God’s goals?

IV. Timothy

A. Read Philippians 2:19-21. Paul says that Timothy is different. In what way is he different? (Paul is surrounded by those who are concerned about their own interests rather than the interests of God.)

1. This is good news about Timothy. How do you explain Paul’s words about the others? Are they not all there to aid Paul?
2. Should it worry us that those who spend time with Paul when he is imprisoned are said to be seeking their own interests? How can that be?
3. Some believe that these others are unwilling to be self-sacrificing, and that is the problem. While that may be true, do you think Paul had people around him simply because Paul was a famous man? Were they in this for personal glory?

B. Read Philippians 2:22-23. Paul says that Timothy is like a son. What do you think motivates Timothy’s service to Paul? (This suggests that Timothy loves Paul. No doubt Timothy loves the gospel, but this suggests a personal bond. This bond must not have existed with the others who sought their own interests.)

C. Read Philippians 2:24. We previously discussed the issue of whether Paul was neutral on whether he lived or died. What does this tell us? (He is “trusting” God that he will be alive so that he can visit the Philippians.)

V. Epaphroditus

A. Read Philippians 2:25-26. This is a new name. What do you think Paul means when he writes that Epaphroditus is “your messenger?” (Read Philippians 4:18. This tells us that the Philippians originally sent Epaphroditus to Paul. He brought gifts and his help.)

B. Read Philippians 2:27-30. Does Paul give the Philippians a “kick in the shin” in his discussion of Epaphroditus? (Paul says the Philippians’ service to him was “lacking.”)

1. How can their help be lacking if they sent Epaphroditus?
2. When Paul refers to Epaphroditus nearly dying, and then tying that to a lack of help from the Philippians, do you think Epaphroditus has been working too hard and that made him ill?
3. This is the second negative statement that Paul has made about his helpers. Would being in prison cause you to be grumpy? (Paul gives great compliments to Timothy and Epaphroditus. He may simply be honestly evaluating his helpers.)

C. Friend, how are Timothy and Epaphroditus “shining lights” for us? The text suggests that they are doing work that impressed Paul. Paul reveals the personal relationship that he has with both men. Have you considered whether your work advances the gospel or promotes your own interests? Do you need more diligence to be considered a “shining light?” If that is true, why not ask the Holy Spirit for help to improve?

VI. Next week: Confidence Only in Christ.

Copr. 2026, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail but it is lost for a week, you can find it by clicking this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/5-shining-as-lights-in-the-night-philippians-212-30-teaching-outline/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-shining-as-lights-in-the-night-philippians-212-30-teaching-outline