Daily Lesson for Thursday 19th of March 2026

What is the most important truth that we, as Christians, can know? Of course, it is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that, through faith in Him, we can have eternal life. This is a truth that we could have never figured out on our own. Instead, it was a truth that had to be told, or revealed, to us. And it has been revealed to us—in the Word of God.

There’s a great deal of truth, knowledge, and wisdom that we would never have known were it not for what God has revealed to us in His Word. But this knowledge and wisdom have not been given to us just as knowledge, just as something to know. Rather, we are to live out in our own lives this truth, this knowledge, and this wisdom.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

Unfortunately, as Christians, sometimes we are anything but Christian! And, as Paul indicated (quoting Isaiah 52:5), Israel was also a stumbling block for unbelievers: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you” (Romans 2:24). How we act toward others, especially those not of our faith, matters a lot (see Titus 2:5, 2 Peter 2:2). A Christian home, a gathering of youth for prayer rather than for mischief; simple kindnesses; and a calm, patient spirit speak volumes to those who are watching to see whether our profession is genuine or not.

In Colossians 4:6, Paul focuses especially on the words we speak: “Let your speech always be gracious” (ESV). More than simply kind or polite, the words we speak should be prompted and permeated by God’s grace through the influence of the Holy Spirit.

“Seasoned with salt.” Opposite to the world’s definition of “salty” speech, our words should be fitting and appealing to those we address.

“That you may know how you ought to answer each one” (NKJV). Only the Holy Spirit can give us the right words at the right time for the right purpose and prepare the minds of the hearers for the message we “must” share (here, too, dei is used—see yesterday’s comments on Colossians 4:4).

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-12-walking-in-wisdom/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-12-walking-in-wisdom

Introduction: Some Christians find that living with others is difficult. Their marriage relationship requires constant work. They do not know how to relate to their children. Work relationships are generally unpleasant. Is this just bad luck? Or, if you constantly have difficult relationships, does this have something to do with you? Or is this just Satan creating trouble in your life because you are faithful to God? Perhaps it has something to do with you. Satan does not need to create trouble for you because you already create enough trouble for yourself. Our study this week concerns Paul’s advice for living with others. Let’s dive in and see what we can learn to improve our relationships with those around us!

I. The Family

A. Read Colossians 3:18-19. The advice to wives to “submit” to their husband has an interesting ending. It ends “as is fitting in the Lord.” What do you think that means?

1. Is it only a statement that submitting to the husband is what God thinks is appropriate for wives?
2. Or is it a limitation on submitting to the husband? (If we look at both verses, we can see that husband and wife are to submit to God’s rules. Whatever Paul meant by “fitting in the Lord,” the two verses taken together show that submitting to the husband is subject to the couple submitting to God.)

B. Look again at Colossians 3:18. What do you think “submit” means? (Read Ephesians 5:22-23 where Paul gives us a fuller explanation. Paul says that submission to the husband is like the Church submitting to Jesus.)

C. Read Genesis 3:16 where God is assigning punishment to Eve and Adam for sinning. Is this how women ended up with the instruction to submit to their husbands?

1.  If so, is this just a straight punishment, or is there a positive aspect to it?
2.  Is it parallel to the Genesis 3:17 punishment of Adam that farming will be hard?

D. Let’s look again at Colossians 3:19. Then read Ephesians 5:25 to get a more complete picture. What does it mean to love your wife as Jesus “loved the church and gave Himself up for her?”

1. Would it be hard to submit to a husband who had an attitude like that?
2. If a husband fails to fulfill his Ephesians 5:25 obligation, is the wife freed from the obligation to submit? Or are these independent obligations?

E. Read Colossians 3:20-21. When children are told to obey their parents, is this a life-long commitment? (The Greek word for children is “tekna” which, according to the IVP New Testament Commentary, refers here to “young children living at home.”)

1. Notice that obedience is required “in everything.” There is no “as fitting in the Lord” potential limitation. Why do you think this is the case? (Parents have vast experience compared to children.)

F. In Colossians 3:21 “fathers” are told not to “provoke” their children. Is this a limitation on the requirement that the children obey?

1. Why is this limit only on fathers? The children are told to obey both parents. (Fathers are the leaders of the family, and thus they are the ones most likely to provoke.)
2. What, exactly, is prohibited in the “do not provoke” rule? Don’t children generally act as if they have been provoked when you tell them not to do something? (Read my old favorite, Deuteronomy 4:2. When fathers (and religious teachers) make up rules that they think are good, and attribute them to God, they run the risk of making children resentful, irritated, or embittered. The motive of the authority figure is generally good, but the results can be life-long alienation and discouragement.)

II. The Workplace

A. Read Colossians 3:22. Probably no one reading this is an actual slave, meaning under the absolute authority of another. Do you think this advice also applies to employees? (If you voluntarily entered into a workplace arrangement, Paul’s advice seems even more compelling. Be a sincere employee.)

1. Why does Paul insert God into his advice? Why write, “fearing the Lord?”

B. Read Colossians 3:23-24. Now Paul provides the logical connection to God. Can you explain that connection? (Paul says that God is the One who rewards faithful work. Therefore you should view yourself as working for God.)

1. If you work diligently, and with excellence, will your work life be better? (It will because God is your ultimate employer. He provides the reward for diligent work.)
2. Do you think that diligent workers, who work with excellence, get promoted? (That is my observation. A promotion generally means a better job–which is in itself a reward.)

C. Read Colossians 3:25. Why does Paul end this warning with the phrase, “there is no partiality?” (Lazy, dishonest employees like to blame someone else for their workplace problems. Paul tells them that their workplace problems are their own fault; it is not that someone is unreasonably biased against them.)

D. Read Colossians 4:1. I teach the past few verses to my students as part of Bible-based emotional intelligence. To avoid the appearance that I’m taking the side of the employer, I also teach this text to them. What warning does Paul give to employers and supervisors? (They must not abuse employees because the employee and the employer have a common master – which is God.)

III. Speaking with Others

A. Read Colossians 4:2-3. If you were Paul, what would be your primary request to God? (To get out of prison!)

1. What is Paul’s primary request? (To help him have better opportunities to share the gospel. This is consistent with Colossians 3:2 where Paul instructs us to set our minds on “things that are above,” rather than things on the earth.)

B. Read Colossians 4:4. Look back at Colossians 4:3. About what does Paul ask God to speak clearly? (About the “mystery of Christ.”)

1. Is this something that we should ask from God? That we can speak clearly? (This is more of a problem in academia, that people write and speak to let you know how smart they are as opposed to clear communication. Newspaper editors make sure that their articles are written so that those with average reading skills can understand. That should be our goal when sharing the gospel.)

C. Read Colossians 4:5. Can you explain what Paul means when he says make “the best use of the time?” (If you use Facebook, you should consider my wife’s advice: “Arguing with someone on Facebook never convinces anyone.” Some arguments are just a waste of time.)

D. Read Colossians 4:6. When Paul tells us this advice is to give proper answers, what does this assume? (That we are being challenged, or at least questioned.)

1. Is your speech always gracious? Especially when you are questioned?
2. What do you think Paul means by “seasoned with salt?” (Salt enhances taste. This means make your response as attractive as possible.)

E. Read Acts 13:10; Titus 1:10-13; Galatians 5:12; and Philippians 3:2. Does Paul have a different definition of “gracious” than we have today? Or is something else going on? (Believing that Paul followed his own advice, we must conclude that gracious speech does not mean never speaking harshly. Instead, it must mean governed by the teachings of the Bible and what is best for the good of the listener.)

1. Have you heard a debater who, speaking calmly and clearly, absolutely destroys the arguments of his opponent? (I think this is what Paul must mean by “gracious,” “salted,” speech.)
2. When Paul refers to knowing “how you ought to answer each person,” is he suggesting that you should respond to different people in different ways? (Knowing our audience and tailoring our response to that knowledge is important.)

F. Friend, if you find that you have trouble getting along with others, has this study of Paul’s advice helped you? Why not also ask the Holy Spirit to guide your interactions with others, in addition to following Paul’s advice?

IV. Next week: Standing in All the Will of God.

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 one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-living-with-each-other-colossians-318-46-teaching-outline/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=12-living-with-each-other-colossians-318-46-teaching-outline

Daily Lesson for Wednesday 18th of March 2026

Some of the most important words we can say to someone who is struggling with issues of various kinds, be they family, health, money, or something else, are “I’m praying for you.” This is heaven’s chosen means of connectivity and interactivity. “It is a part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 525.

Image © Providence Collection at Goodsalt.com

Notice the impactful descriptions of prayer Paul uses: “continue” (or persevere), “earnestly,” “being vigilant,” and “with thanks­giving”—signaling that this is a prayer of faith (Colossians 4:2, NKJV). He tells us to pray “always” (Ephesians 6:18) and “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Most amazingly, even though “we know not what we should pray for as we ought . . . the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

Significantly, Paul also prayed for the right words to speak. Sometimes, when we read his letters or his speeches in the book of Acts, we imagine that the apostle was always eloquent, with never a doubt as to what he should say. But here he asks for prayer that he may proclaim the message “clearly” (Colossians 4:4, NIV). He also uses a very important Greek word (dei) in the last phrase of the verse, which could be translated “as I must speak,” pointing to the divine necessity of the work of proclaiming the gospel. He recognized the importance of presenting the message to people at the highest levels of the Roman government, including Caesar’s household.

“It is not always necessary to bow upon your knees in order to pray. Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when you are alone, when you are walking, and when you are busy with your daily labor. Let the heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, Pages 510, 511.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-12-praying-for-one-another/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-12-praying-for-one-another

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, March 21, 2026.

Central Theme: Just like the Heavenly Trio is a family community, we reflect the character of God by living in harmony as a family and community.

Read in Class: Colossians 3:18-19, Ephesians 5:22-25, 33, and Ephesians 6:1-4.

Study: What balance does Paul give us regarding authority in the family?

Apply: How can we avoid doing what has, unfortunately, been done all through history: taking the beautiful principles expressed in these texts and turning them into something evil?

Share: Your friend has been mistreated by her church, workplace, and even family. She tells you she is through with people and wants to live alone on an uninhabited island. What do you tell your friend? See, I used to be a People Person, but People Ruined it for me.

Read in Class: Colossians 3:22-25 and Colossians 4:1. Ask the class to identify the main idea of these passages.

Study: What instructions are given to slaves? What principles are here for work relations generally?

Apply: Consider how this passage could apply to your relationships at work. How might its principles be helpful to you as a boss or an employee?

Share: Your friend says he is tired of working with people, getting gossiped about, being stabbed in the back, and bosses who are jerks, and he is looking for a job where he can just be alone all the time. Besides, if he is alone, there will be no one to irritate him and make him act unChristlike. By being alone, he can be a better Christian. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Colossians 4:2-4. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.

Study: What principles for prayer do you find in these verses? What prayer requests does Paul make?

Apply: Reread Colossians 4:3. What “door for the word” (NKJV) might God open for you to share your faith?

Share: Your friend notes that in 2 Chronicles 1:11-12, Solomon asked for wisdom rather than for his enemies to be destroyed. Your friend asks how this fact should influence the way we pray. What do you tell your friend?

Red in Class: Colossians 4:5-6. Ask the class what the main idea of this passage is.

Study: In what situations does Paul indicate we especially need to “walk in wisdom”? Why might that be?

Apply: Think about your words, your actions, and how you walk before others. What message are you sending about your faith and what it means to be a Christian?

Share: Your friend mentions that if someone “rubs” you the wrong way, God may be using them to “polish” your character. Even Jesus had to get along with people who constantly questioned him and tried to annoy him. Your friend asks you how Jesus taught us to be the salt of the earth and answer difficult people. What do you tell your friend?

Mission: Can you think of someone who has been a little difficult to deal with or be around? Can you spend some extra time praying for them this week?

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-living-with-each-other-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=12-living-with-each-other-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan

As this week’s Sabbath school lesson focuses on Living with Each Other, I am reminded how isolated our world is becoming. A couple of summers ago, I was in New York City riding the subways. On the subways, passengers mind their own business. Strangers don’t strike up conversations with other strangers. I get it. There is stranger danger even among adults. Plus, many of us are used to the privacy of our own cars, and I am sure many subway passengers desire the same privacy after a full day’s work.

At the same time, I could not help thinking about all the things two strangers sitting right next to each other may have in common, if one of them would just speak up. It breaks my heart to think of all the wonderful friendships that will never be, simply because of the code of silence on the subway. And yes, I say that knowing full well the potential for danger. God did not create us to stay home, wrapped in bubble wrap.

I am also reminded how isolated our world is becoming, when internet research affirms my observations that there is a marked rise in people seeking jobs where they don’t have to work with other people. I have heard people repeat the phrase, “I used to be a people person, but people ruined it for me.” And yes, this has carried over into the way we do church. Many have abandoned the church building to have church in smaller circles and private homes. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with home churches within themselves. They are very Biblical, and I support those who have churches in their homes. But what concerns me is when isolation is the primary motivation. And here is why.

Goodsalt image by Lars Justinen

The whole purpose of the church and being a disciple is to reflect the character of God. The Heavenly Trio is a community. Each one preferring the Other over self.

Friends, God is community. God is social. We cannot reflect the character of God, which is community, while we are isolated. No wonder Satan wants to isolate us. He wants to keep us from being a community that reflects God’s character of love. There is a passage from Christ Object Lessons that I feel has been misunderstood by the Adventist community.

Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.-Ellen White, Christ Object Lessons, Page 69. 

Many take this passage to be teaching individual perfection, which, once attained, earns eternal life. While I fully believe that the Holy Spirit can help each one of us to be like Christ, I interpret this passage differently. God does not want His church to be perfect so they can earn their way to heaven. He wants His church to reflect the perfect character of God, so the world can see the goodness of God that will lead them to repentance and be ready for His soon coming. See 2 Peter 3:9 and Romans 2:4.

In other words, God wants the church to give Him and His character proper representation while the world is judging His character. Our characters are not perfected in isolation. We are perfected as a church family. God is a community, and it is only as a community of faith that we can reflect His image. It is together that we reflect the character of God. Where I am weak, you are strong and vice versa. God rebuked Elijah for running away from the 7000 who never bowed the knee to Baal, because Elijah needed a church family in order to reflect God’s character to the world. This is why Satan wanted Elijah to isolate himself. It is only as a community that forgives and loves unconditionally that we can reflect the character of the Heavenly Trio.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 NLT

Paul tells us in this passage how to perfect holiness, and it cannot be done in isolation. It may sound like an Adventist paradox, but Paul also tells us the only way to be perfect is to make allowences for each other’s faults. I recently read the book of Job, and while there is a lot I learned about relationships, for the sake of space and time, let me leave you with this thought: While Job’s friends caused him more pain than peace, Job and his friends all needed each other to perfect their characters as individuals and as a community. Job did not need to get away from his friends, even though I am sure he would have preferred isolation. What Job needed to do was pray for his friends. Let’s look at what happened when he did.

When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Job 42:10 NLT

Job prospered, not in isolation, but in reconciliation with God and community. Likewise, the church and its members will never find perfection in isolation. Satan is doing all he can to isolate us because he knows it is only as a community that we can be perfected and reflect the image of the Heavenly Trio. We keep Satan from winning by making allowances for each other’s faults, and showing each other the unconditional love of God.

When you get that feeling, I used to be a people person but people ruined it for me, remember, isolation is not the answer. Prayer and reconcilation is the answer.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/i-used-to-be-a-people-person-but-people-ruined-it-for-me/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=i-used-to-be-a-people-person-but-people-ruined-it-for-me