Daily Lesson for Monday 23rd of March 2026

In a world connected by the internet, social media, and countless devices, it is difficult to imagine the challenge that Paul faced in helping churches feel they were a part of something bigger than their own local congregations.

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

With these greetings, Paul creates and fosters connectivity among fellow believers. We learn here that Mark was Barnabas’s cousin. Paul thus paves the way for Mark’s probable visit to Colossae. Aristarchus is described literally as a “fellow prisoner-of-war”; that is, he was imprisoned with Paul. They were both soldiers with “the armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-11), fighting to set Satan’s captives free for service in the kingdom of God (see 2 Timothy 2:1-4). Jesus/Justus (Jewish and Roman names that sound very similar in Greek, like Saul/Paul) is also commended to them as a trustworthy fellow laborer in the gospel.

Paul makes a point of mentioning that Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus are Jewish believers (“of the circumcision”). He then goes on to mention three Gentiles: Epaphras, Luke, and Demas (Colossians 4:12-14). It is significant that, despite some tensions in the church between Jews and Gentiles, these coworkers are able to labor effectively together, unitedly and harmoniously. By saying “only,” though, Paul seems to imply a certain disappointment that more Jewish Christians have not stood by him in his sufferings. Nevertheless, it is significant that by this time, John Mark, who had some years before deserted Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), proves not only loyal but a “comfort” to Paul (Acts 15:36-40).

Threats to unity are nothing new. In recent years, the Adventist Church has undergone profound changes as it has spread globally, and forces have hammered away at its unity. This stress on unity can be felt at every level of the church.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-13-church-connectivity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-13-church-connectivity

Daily Lesson for Sunday 22nd of March 2026

We learn much from Paul about spreading the gospel. His travels covered an estimated 13,400 miles. This is astonishing, since much of it was on foot and some of the time he was also in prison.

Paul spent considerable time in centers of trade, such as Corinth and Ephesus, from which the message could then spread to inland towns. He also returned to churches that he had raised up in order to strengthen and encourage the new believers there. When he couldn’t visit the churches personally, he sent letters. This way, the believers knew that he remembered them and cared about them.

Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com

Some things are best communicated orally rather than in writing. It would be interesting to know what news the two men conveyed to the Colossians. Judging from Paul’s intent that these things would “comfort” (NKJV) and “encourage” them (Colossians 4:7-9, ESV), it probably included details about Paul’s circumstances in prison. In any event, such communication was also important as a means of maintaining the personal ties that bind believers together.

Tychicus, whose name means “fortunate,” was clearly a trusted emissary. Described as a “faithful minister” and “fellow servant,” he was one of two men from Asia selected by Paul (Acts 20:4) to accompany him on his journey with the collection for needy believers in Jerusalem. He was also with Paul during his second imprisonment in Rome, whence he was sent to Ephesus to strengthen the work there (2 Timothy 4:12). Paul also thought about sending him to Titus, in Crete (Titus 3:12). Accompanying him was Onesimus, whom Paul had converted in Rome (see Lesson 1) and describes as “faithful.”

It seems Paul also wanted to know about the circumstances of the believers in Colossae. It would not be difficult to send word back to him by someone, if not by Tychicus himself. This was another way Paul conveyed his love and concern for the believers there, even though he had not visited the church personally, and how he strengthened them in the faith so they could reach others.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-13-lessons-on-outreach/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-13-lessons-on-outreach

Daily Lesson for Sabbath 21st of March 2026

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

Colossians 4:7-18; Ephesians 6:21; Acts 15:36-40; 2 Timothy 4:10-11; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Isaiah 60:1-3.

Memory Text:

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV).

This final portion of Colossians reveals Paul’s wider network of coworkers. Acts shows him teaming up first with Barnabas, then with Silas, and then gives an overview of his three missionary journeys.

This week we will look at Paul’s mission strategy, which involved the very efficient use of time and resources in reaching the major centers of the Roman Empire, as well as training promising lay workers in order to reach the cities and towns that Paul would not visit, such as Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.

Through personal visits during his travels and, especially as a prisoner, through his epistles, Paul was constantly linking people and churches. He recognized that the success of the gospel mission depended upon everyone working together—Jewish and Gentile Christians; men and women; such people as Tychicus, Aristarchus, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Nympha. Intriguingly, we also hear of a letter he wrote to Laodicea that has not been preserved for us. Paul packs a lot in these final verses, including a personal exhortation to a man named Archippus. He did everything possible to strengthen the churches while he still could.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 28.

Sunday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-13-standing-in-all-the-will-of-god/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-13-standing-in-all-the-will-of-god

Our Sabbath School program has always been linked to the support of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission program. This video provides a little insight into this important work.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-march-21/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mission-spotlight-for-march-21

Inside Story for Friday 20th of March 2026

The headquarters of the 1000 Missionary Movement in Silang, Philippines, was constructed with the help of a 1996 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering. Just as that offering is still being felt across the Southern Asia-Pacific Division and beyond through the work of the 1000 Missionary Movement, this quarter’s offering can also have a long-lasting impact. Thank you for your generous offering next Sabbath. Watch a short YouTube video with Rene at bit.ly/Rene-1000MM.

Image © Pacific Press

Shortly after Rene arrived in the Philippines, he received an offer to work as an accountant with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). After one and a half years with ADRA, he worked for eight years as an accountant with the Adventist Church’s Cavite Mission. Rene enjoyed working with the Adventist Church. Life was simple and comfortable. As a boy, he had thought that becoming an Adventist was a path to wealth. But now he had no desire to be rich. He just wanted to serve others until Jesus’ second coming.

One day, Rene unexpectedly received an invitation to replace the retiring treasurer of the 1000 Missionary Movement, which is part of the Adventist Church’s Southern Asia-Pacific Division and trains hundreds of missionaries every year at its headquarters in Silang, a city in the Cavite Mission.

Rene wondered if he was dreaming. He had wanted to be part of the 1000 Missionary Movement ever since he had given his heart to Christ through the friendship of one of its missionaries.

That missionary, Rodel, now worked as an ordained pastor in the Philippines, and he would be surprised and pleased if Rene became treasurer. But Rene wondered, “Can I handle the job of treasurer? I’m only a simple accountant.”

That night, Rene dreamed that he was working at the 1000 Missionary Movement. Then the president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division asked him to submit his resume for consideration for the job. A short time later, a division committee approved his candidacy, and he was hired.

Rene hasn’t looked back. As he has been faithful to God, he has seen relatives who once despised his faith join the Adventist Church. Two months after he moved back to the Philippines, his parents were baptized. “That was God’s gift to me,” he said. “It was like God was saying, ‘Because you have been loyal to Me, I have a gift for you.’ ” His two sisters also were baptized.

Meanwhile, the company where he had worked abroad collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic. If he had accepted the pay increase, he would have lost everything. Today, he said, he owes all to the Lord who declares, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, . . . plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). “Nothing is by chance,” Rene Tucaldo said. “God had a plan for me.”

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-12-inside-story-nothing-is-by-chance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-12-inside-story-nothing-is-by-chance