Daily Lesson for Wednesday 20th of August 2025

The law of God reveals God’s character, who He is. As God is holy, righteous, and good, so also is His law. Paul confirms: “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12, ESV).

Image © Steve Creitz Goodsalt.com

In the Bible, the law of God is seen in a very positive light (Matthew 5:17-18; John 14:15; 1 Corinthians 7:19). One may create poems on the law (see Psalms 119:1-176), sing about the law (Psalms 19:1-14), and meditate on it day and night (Psalms 1:2, Joshua 1:8). The law helps keep one from evil and gives wisdom, understanding, health, prosperity, and peace (Deuteronomy 4:1-6; Proverbs 2:1-22; Proverbs 3:1-35).

1. God’s law is like a fence that creates a large free space for life and warns that—beyond a specific point—danger, problems, complications, and even death await (Genesis 2:16-17; James 2:12).

2. The law is also a signpost pointing to Jesus, who forgives our sins and changes our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 John 1:7-9). In this way, it leads us as a paidagogos, a custodian/guardian, to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

A mirror can reveal your defects, yes. But there is nothing in the mirror that can cure them. The mirror points to the problems but offers no solution to the problems. It’s the same with God’s law. Trying to be justified before God by keeping the law would be like staring at the mirror in hopes that, sooner or later, the mirror will make your defects go away.

Because salvation is by faith and not by works—including works of the law—some Christians claim that the law is done away with and that we no longer have to keep it. Of course, considering that the law itself is what defines sin—“I would not have known sin except through the law” (Romans 7:7, NKJV)—this claim is a gross misinterpretation of the relationship of the law to the gospel. The existence of the law is precisely why we need the gospel.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-08-different-functions-of-gods-law/

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 19th of August 2025

Note that the Decalogue does not begin with the commands but with God’s gracious action for His people:

“ ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery’ ” (Exodus 20:2, NIV). The Lord first shows His grace by giving freedom and salvation to Israel, and only then does He reveal His will. These commandments were to be observed out of love and gratitude for what God did for them.

Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com

God’s key summation word for the Decalogue is “love” (Romans 13:10). The greatest commandment is the commandment of love, which is expressed in two ways: love to God (Deuteronomy 6:5) and love to our neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).

In the first four commandments, the Decalogue interprets what it means to love God; in the following six commandments, the law interprets what it means to love your neighbor. The Decalogue begins with honoring God above all (vertical love) and continues with respecting others (horizontal love):

1. Honoring and revering God by giving Him the first and the highest place in every situation of our life (the first commandment);

2. Honoring and preserving God’s unique position and not replacing Him by an idol in any form, either physical, symbolic, or spiritual. Our purest affections belong to the Lord (the second commandment);

3. Revering God’s name—His reputation and character (the third commandment);

4. Honoring His day of rest and worship—the Sabbath (the fourth commandment);

5. Respecting parents (the fifth commandment);

6. Respecting life (the sixth commandment);

7. Respecting marriage (the seventh commandment);

8. Respecting people’s property (the eighth commandment);

9. Respecting the reputation of others (the ninth commandment); and

10. Respecting self so that no selfish desires will mar our character (the tenth commandment).

As Jesus Himself said: “ ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments’ ” (John 14:15, ESV; see also 1 John 4:20-21). Thus, true obedience is simply an expression of love and gratitude toward Jesus, a love expressed most powerfully in how we treat our neighbors.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-08-the-gift-of-the-decalogue/

Exodus points us to a wonderful conclusion with the Israelites being bound for the Promised Land, hence our theme hymn for the quarter being 
We Are Bound For The Promised Land – Hymn 620.

 “Obey My voice and keep My covenant” says part of our Memory Text, as does
Trust And Obey – Hymn 590. This hymn pops up a couple of times during this week. Sabbath afternoon’s introduction to this weeks’ study concludes with Jesus’ statement: “ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden”, and this is found in 
Hymn 285 – Jesus Calls Us.

On Sunday God is teaching the people many things, with this teaching continuing through the week. We, today, can ask God
Saviour, Teach Me – Hymn 193. The story continues showing us that 
He Leadeth Me – Hymn 537 just as the people were faithfully lead through the wilderness away from Egypt through to the Promised Land.

The gift of love that God gives to us all is taught on Monday: 
Hymn 79 – O Love Of God, How Strong And True! “He is a God of love (1 John 4:16)” is the final sentence on this day.

There are many promises that God gives to the people as they travelled along. Are we, today, found 
Standing On The Promises – Hymn 518 and still being able to 
Trust And Obey – Hymn 590?

Friday finalizes our study stating “our salvation is found in Jesus”: 
To The Name That Brings Salvation – Hymn 646.

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/8-covenant-at-sinai-singing-with-inspiration/

Key Thought : By leading Israel out of Egypt, God desired to bring them to Himself. God then gavce them the Decalogue to teach them to fear Him. There are different functions to God’s law.
August 23, 2025

1. Have a volunteer read Exodus 19:1-8.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What did God promise them at the base of Mt Sinai?
3. Personal Application: Imagine being God’s special treasure. What privileges would that encompass? What responsibilities would you have? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How does God’s word here apply to the Jews today? Is this still relevant, or does it apply to Christians today? Is there anything in the New Testament that refers to Christians as priests and a holy nation? How are we supposed to be holy and priests?” How would you respond to your relative?
   (Note: I Peter 2:9, 10. The priests entered the Holy Place daily to minister. There was the Table of Shewbread, the altar of incense, and the golden candlestick. The bread is the word. (John 6) Bible study. The incense was prayer. And the candlestick is the Holy Spirit given to us to witness and shed God’s light through us. So, Bible study, prayer, and witness are our duties as priests of God.)

2. Have a volunteer read Exodus 20:1-17.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How did God prepare Israel to receive the Ten Commandments?
3. Personal Application: How successful have you been in your efforts to keep God’s law? What does this tell us about our need for the gospel? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How come you say the ten commandments are a transcript of God’s character? What does it mean that they are an expression of God’s love? I thought the law was against us.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read James 1:23-25.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is James saying here? How do these words help us realise the foundation and importance of the law, even though it can’t save us?
3. Personal Application: Where is a sense of reverence and awe in our church life before God? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbours states: “How do we respond to those who say that after Jesus died on the cross, the law was done away with? What are they saying has been done away with?” How would you respond to your neighbour?

4. Have a volunteer read Romans 3:20-24.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Since we can’t be saved by keeping the commandments, how should the commandments function in our lives?
3. Personal Application: What God commands me to do, He enables us to do. He works in us to will and to do His good pleasure. I delight to do you will, Oh my God, your law is within my heart, How do we put these two into practice?? 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/8-covenant-at-sinai-teaching-plan/

Daily Lesson for Monday 18th of August 2025

God gave specific instructions for what the Israelites were to do in preparation for the giving of the law at Sinai. Their external purity was to reflect their total dedication to God.

Rules to Govern a New Society

They needed to be ready for the splendid manifestation of the Lord’s glory that was about to come. And when it did, it was accompanied by “thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled” (Exodus 19:16, NKJV).

The Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) is the heart of God’s revelation and biblical ethics. It forms the substance and foundation of divine standards for all humanity; its principles are eternal and universal.

According to the biblical account, the Decalogue was announced by God (Exodus 19:19; Exodus 20:1; Deuteronomy 5:4-5,24) and was written by Him (Exodus 24:12, Exodus 31:18, Deuteronomy 5:22). It was twice given to Moses as a special gift (Exodus 32:19; Exodus 34:1; Deuteronomy 10:1-2).

In the book of Exodus, the Decalogue is called “the Testimony” (Hebrew: ‘edut; Exodus 31:18); or it is named “the words of the covenant” (Hebrew: dibre habberit; Exodus 34:28). In the book of Deuteronomy, they are written on “the tablets of the covenant” (Deuteronomy 9:9,11,15, NKJV). Neither book in Hebrew uses the term “the Ten Commandments” (Hebrew: mitzwot, “commandments”). Instead, three times they call it “the Ten Words.” The Hebrew is ‘aseret haddebarim, from dabar, meaning “word, sentence, matter, thing, speech, story, promise, utterance.” (See Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 4:13, Deuteronomy 10:4.)

There are two versions of the Decalogue with very slight dif­ferences; the first one is recorded in Exodus 20:1-17 and the second in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. The second version, presented orally by Moses to Israel, occurred almost forty years after Sinai, just before the people entered the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:3-4; Deuteronomy 4:44-47). These circumstances explain the slight differences between the two.

When Paul summarized the law as being love, he quoted from the Decalogue (Romans 13:8-10). Love is, indeed, the sum of God’s law because He is a God of love (1 John 4:16).

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-08-preparing-for-the-gift/