Daily Lesson for Sabbath 29th of August 2026

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

2 Corinthians 3:1-9, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11-15, Colossians 1:19-23, Ephesians 2:13-16, 2 Corinthians 6:11-18; 2 Corinthians 7:1, 2 Corinthians 7:1-16.

Memory Text:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, ESV)_._

Last week, we saw that Paul, by affirming his simplicity and sincerity, defended himself from the accusations of inconstancy and lack of love toward the Corinthians. He always worked for the best interests of his spiritual children. He began a line of thought in 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 that goes to 2 Corinthians 7:1-16. While doing so, he reflects on what an authentic ministry for Christ looks like. We can draw so many lessons from Paul’s thoughts in that regard.

This week, we will look into 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; 2 Corinthians 4:1-18; 2 Corinthians 5:1-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-18; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16, where Paul speaks of his ministry of gaining souls for Christ. Ellen G. White says, “The conversion of sinners and their sanctification through the truth is the strongest proof a minister can have that God has called him to the ministry. The evidence of his apostleship is written upon the hearts of those converted, and is witnessed to by their renewed lives. Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. A minister is greatly strengthened by these seals of his ministry.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 328.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 5.

Sunday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26c-10-authentic-christian-ministry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26c-10-authentic-christian-ministry

Inside Story for Friday 28th of August 2026

By Kathie Lichtenwalter

“Even though as a boy I’d read all of Eric B. Hare’s* stories, I don’t think it ever occurred to me that I could be a missionary myself,” says Myron Iseminger, a missionary serving in Lebanon.

In the late 1970s, Myron’s sister declared she was taking a year off to volunteer as an English teacher in Japan. After a year in college as a theology major, Myron proposed his own volunteer experience to the Middle East. It was a decision that would steer the rest of his life.

“I thought it would be really neat to experience the Bible lands,” Myron says. “Besides, I thought it would give me some helpful ministerial experience. But I received much more. That year, my worldview began changing. I saw another culture, another way of thinking. I went to my students’ homes and listened to their stories, saw their personal grief. I began understanding life from another person’s perspective. I realized it’s easy to judge groups of people until you meet them one-on-one and come to love them.” Myron began sensing the call to long-term service for God overseas.

At the time, cross-cultural pastors didn’t appear to be in high demand, but Myron concluded if the world church budgeted funds for mission, finance officers would be needed to manage those funds. When he returned to college, he added a second major in business. It was another critical turn that would determine the direction of his life.

The advice a church leader shared with Myron also weighed on his mind: if you want to serve in a foreign country, make sure the woman you marry shares that same vision! Myron’s wife, Candace, had never been outside the United States when they married. “But she was willing,” Myron says. Together, they waited for a job opportunity overseas.

One day, a General Conference officer told Myron there was an opening in the Middle East for a treasurer. Soon, Myron and Candace were settling into an apartment in the Egypt Field office. It was hard work but rewarding. “I enjoyed being on the frontline of mission,” Myron says. “I liked contributing where there were limited resources. I enjoyed seeing the difference I could make, even though it was challenging.”

Myron would later serve in a variety of church offices.

It all seemed impossible to a little boy captivated by Eric B. Hare’s stories, but he can testify, “If we’re open to wherever God needs us, He works out our life direction much better than we could ever plan it.”

• Eric B. Hare was a Seventh-day Adventist missionary and prolific author.

Your generous and systematic mission offerings help support the ministry of missionaries. Please give during Sabbath School.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26c-09-inside-story-mission-begins-young/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26c-09-inside-story-mission-begins-young

Daily Lesson for Friday 28th of August 2026
Further Thought:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Message Heeded,” Pages 323–334, in The Acts of the Apostles.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

“Those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are living proof of the tender care of God.”—Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 122.

“A consecrated Christian life is ever shedding light and comfort and peace. It is characterized by purity, tact, simplicity, and usefulness. It is controlled by that unselfish love that sanctifies the influence. It is full of Christ, and leaves a track of light wherever its possessor may go.”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 122.

“The apostle Paul found it necessary to reprove wrong in the church, but he did not lose his self-control in reproving error. He anxiously explains the reason of his action. How carefully he wrought so as to leave the impression that he was a friend of the erring! He made them understand that it cost him pain to give them pain. He left the impression upon their minds that his interest was identified with theirs.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1094.

Discussion Questions

<–Thursday

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26c-09-further-thought-love-driven-ministry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26c-09-further-thought-love-driven-ministry

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr Adenilton Tavares de Aguiar, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/9-love-driven-ministry-it-is-written-discussion-with-the-author/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=9-love-driven-ministry-it-is-written-discussion-with-the-author

View an in-depth discussion of “A portrait of Love” 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.