View an in-depth discussion of Love and Justice: The two Greatest Commandments 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.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-love-and-justice-the-two-greatest-commandments-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/

Daily Lesson for Wednesday 19th of March 2025

The prophets in Scripture continually highlight God’s call for justice in society. Again and again, Scripture does not shrink back from highlighting issues of injustice and oppression. Indeed, the call for God to bring judgment was itself the call for God to establish justice.

For example, the prophet Isaiah does not mince words about the injustice in Israel at the time. His words and call for justice should ring loud and clear in our ears today. “ ‘Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow’ ” (Isaiah 1:17, NKJV). Further, he proclaims “ ‘woe’ ” against those who “ ‘decree unrighteous decrees’ ” and “ ‘rob the needy of justice’ ” (Isaiah 10:1-2, NKJV), warning: “ ‘What will you do in the day of punishment, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory?’ ” (Isaiah 10:3, NKJV).

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

Likewise, the prophet Jeremiah proclaims God’s message: “ ‘Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by injustice, who uses his neighbor’s service without wages and gives him nothing for his work. . . . Did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this knowing Me?’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 22:13,15-16, NKJV).

Lest one think that injustice was a concern only of Old Testament prophets, we see clearly here and elsewhere in Jesus’ ministry that this was of utmost concern to Christ Himself. As He puts it: “ ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone’ ” (Matthew 23:23, NKJV). In the parallel passage in Luke, Jesus laments that they “ ‘pass by justice and the love of God’ ” (Luke 11:42, NKJV).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-12-called-to-establish-justice/

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 18th of March 2025

Scripture declares that God loves justice and hates evil (for example, Psalms 33:5, Isaiah 61:8), and He is deeply concerned about injustice, which evokes righteous indignation on behalf of all those who are the victims of injustice. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God is consistently passionate in favor of the downtrodden and oppressed while expressing righteous anger against the victimizers and oppressors.

Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com

As many commentators understand it, this passage decries both the earthly rulers responsible for the injustice in society and is also a reference to when God judges the celestial rulers (the “gods”) behind corrupt earthly judges and rulers (demonic forces, obviously). Specifically, the rulers are asked, “How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” (Psalms 82:2, NKJV).

Further, they are charged: “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalms 82:3-4, NKJV). Here and elsewhere, the prophets of the Old Testament set forth a clarion call for justice. This is no peripheral concern of Scripture; it is central to the message of the prophets throughout the Old Testament and to what Jesus spoke when here in the flesh.

It is no secret what God desires and requires of those who would claim to love and obey Him. He specifies very clearly in Micah 6:8 (and in similar passages elsewhere): “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (NKJV).

This sentiment is echoed throughout Scripture. For example, Jesus said: “ ‘By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another’ ” (John 13:35, NKJV; compare with 1 John 4:8-16).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-12-god-loves-justice/

The studies in this quarters pamphlet encourage us to see God’s Love and Justice, just as we may sing in 
Hymn 79 – O Love of God, How Strong and True! which is a beautiful theme hymn for our studies.

Echoing throughout our week of study is another hymn to add to the theme hymn:
God Is Love – Hymn 349.

 As love for one another, and for our gracious God is brought to us this week, we may add:
Hymn 76 – O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,
Hymn 77 – O Love Of God Most Full,
Hymn 78 – For God So Loved Us,
Hymn 148 – O Love How Deep, How Broad,
Hymn 162 – Wondrous Love, and
Hymn 179 – The Wonders of Redeeming Love, to name just a few.

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.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-love-and-justice-the-two-greatest-commandments-singing-with-inspiration/

Key Thought: If we love God, we will love one another and share a concern for one another’s well-being.
March 22, 2025

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 19:16-29..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How did Jesus answer the lawyer’s question?
3. Personal Application: Is there anything in our lives that we may be clinging to that may interfere with our eternal life? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why did Jesus tell the lawyer love was the fulfilling of the law, but the rich young ruler to keep the commandments? Aren’t these answers contrarty to one another?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 135:13-19, Zechariah 7:9-12..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does this reveal about a common sin emphasized throughout Scripture?
3. Personal Application: Can we say we love God and not have love for human beings? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How does the sin of idolatry relate to the two great commandments? What kind of idols do people have today? ” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Psalm 82, Matthew 23:23-30.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How does Psalm 82 express God’s concern for justice in this world? What might it mean for us today?
3. Personal Application: What might we be focusing on that might be more insignificant than more important things? What would the more important things be contrasted to the smaller things? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “In Matthew what does Jesus say are the weightier matters that are most important? How does He, as well as we, balance justice and mercy?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Luke 10:25-27.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does this parable teach about the kind of injustices different people groups have inflicted on others through human history?
3. Personal Application: What cann we learn from the life and ministry of Jesus about reaching out to those in need? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. ”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/12-love-and-justice-the-two-greatest-commandments-teaching-plan/