Daily Lesson for Sunday 8th of March 2026

From a mountaintop, it is possible to survey a vast landscape that is all around you. From time immemorial, mountains have been frequented by those seeking a closer experience with God (see Psalms 121:1-2). Even human-made mountains, called ziggurats, have been constructed by pagans for a similar purpose—to meet with the gods. Interestingly, the city of Ur, which Abram was called to leave, had a very large ziggurat visible from miles around. But changing one’s elevation will never by itself draw anyone closer to heaven in a spiritual sense. Human effort never could.

Image © John Baker at Goodsalt.com

Instead, only through a miracle of grace, whereby we died with Christ and were raised with Him (figuratively pictured by baptism [Colossians 2:12-13]), is it possible to draw nearer to heaven.

Notice that from the beginning of Colossians 3:1-25, the repeated emphasis on what is above, that is, what there is in heaven: “those things which are above,” “where Christ is,” “things above,” “with Christ in God,” “with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4, NKJV).

Admittedly, there is much in the Christian life that defies explanation. How can a person really “die” and “be raised” when, to all ap­pearances, he or she is the same person and has had no such life-and-death experience? There is much that does not make sense to the natural mind, uninfluenced by the Holy Spirit. But to those who are spiritually-minded, because they have received the new heart promised by God, death to sin and being raised with Christ are genuine realities. As the hymn affirms: “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.”

Nevertheless, Paul gives these commands because there is a constant need for this spiritual life to be renewed (see 2 Corinthians 4:16). We can, indeed, fall away and be lost! And we are never safe from temptation in this life.

We must, therefore, choose daily to “seek those things which are above” (Colossians 3:1). Our eternal life is safely “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3, NKJV), but the outward expression of that life will be anything but hidden.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-11-heavenly-mindedness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-11-heavenly-mindedness

Daily Lesson for Sabbath Afternoon 7th of March 2026

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study

Colossians 3:1-17, Romans 1:18, Romans 6:1-7, Ephesians 4:22-24, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, 1 Samuel 16:23.

Memory Text: “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14, NKJV).

It’s commonly urged not to be so heavenly-minded; otherwise, we’ll be of no earthly good. While true in some sense, there’s an equally important concept that Paul highlights in Colossians 3:1-25: if we are too earthly-minded, we will be of no heavenly use to the Lord.

Paul draws our attention to many practical, real-life principles that are born of heaven and can be understood only by those who are “risen with Christ” (Colossians 3:1).

Paul’s counsels are very down-to-earth principles that will enhance all our relationships, and not just within the church.

Jesus said, “ ‘Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you . . . that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust’ ” (Matthew 5:44-45, NKJV).

Sound impossible? It is, humanly speaking. We need to die before we can really live for God. It’s why we must be heavenly-minded if we hope to be of any earthly use to our heavenly Father.

This week we’ll see ways in which living with Christ can make a difference, now and eternally.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 14.

Sunday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-11-living-with-christ/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-11-living-with-christ

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-7/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mission-spotlight-for-march-7

Is this True, Somewhat True or False: Our strength comes from knowledge and acceptance of the truth. Join the Hit the Mark panel as they discuss Lesson 10 – Complete in Christ. It’s the fastest hour of the week!

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/complete-in-christ-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=complete-in-christ-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school

Inside Story for Friday 6th of March 2026

Rene Tucaldo is chief financial officer of the 1000 Missionary Movement, whose headquarters in Silang, Philippines, were constructed with the help of a 1996 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering. Read more next week.

Image © Pacific Press

After six months of going to church on Sabbaths, Rene was summoned by his boss. “The other accountant doesn’t work as well as you,” he said. “Can I ask you a favor? Can you work for at least one hour on Saturday?”

Rene remembered he had prayed for two years, “God, if You give me a chance to go to church on Saturday, I will keep the Sabbath holy until I die.”

He shook his head. “I cannot,” he said.

“You have to,” his boss said. “Only one hour. What time is your church?”

“Eight to 12.”

“Then in the afternoon. You can come at one o’clock.”

“But it’s Saturday.”

“It’s OK.”

“It’s not OK with me.”

Rene’s boss looked at him long and hard.

“It’s up to you,” he said, and left.

Six weeks later, the boss gave an ultimatum with a thinly veiled threat. “What’s your final decision?” he asked. “You have to work this coming Saturday. If you don’t, I don’t know what I will do.”

Rene knew he was working in a country hostile to Christianity. People didn’t have the right to exercise their religion. He had heard about people being imprisoned and facing death for their faith.

Back at home, he cried, “Lord, it seems like I have a lot of problems. Do You want me to die here?”

Three days later, Rene went to church on Sabbath. He lived in an apartment located in the same building as his office.

As he left the building, a coworker asked, “Are you not coming in today?”

“I will not come,” Rene replied.

Rene had a company cell phone, and he switched it off. He didn’t want to be tracked when he went to church.

That afternoon, his boss made a surprise visit to the office. He repeatedly called Rene but couldn’t reach him on the phone.

Later, the coworker told Rene, “The boss was like the devil. His eyes were very red, like he wanted to eat you. He might want to send you to prison. Please don’t get us in trouble, too.”

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26a-10-inside-story-risking-prison-or-death/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26a-10-inside-story-risking-prison-or-death