Bible Study - Sabbath School Podcast

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  Episode 2902 - Lesson 2 - Sunday Oct 04 - Abraham, Defender of the Covenant 04.10.2026 11min

  Abraham, Defender of the CovenantFrom Genesis to Revelation, God has had a faithful remnant who have accepted the call to obedience in response to His grace (see Jer. 31:7, 31-34). For example, years after the dispersion from Babel, God chose Abram (later Abraham) to be an example of covenant faith, not just to his family but for all future generations. Surrounded by apostasy and moral ambivalence, Abram proved faithful to God's call. (See Gen. 12:1-9.)God communicated the terms of the covenant to Abraham and showed him how humanity's salvation would be accomplished through the sacrifice of Christ (Gen. 15:6-17). To test Abraham's faith and to illustrate the future sacrifice of God's Son, Abraham was called upon to offer Isaac, his son, as a sacrifice to God (Gen. 22:1-17). What an excruciating test for the father of the faithful. Think of all the reasons Abraham could have used to disregard God's explicit command, yet he faithfully obeyed. God stayed the hand of Abraham from killing Isaac and provided a ram in his stead.Not all prophets were called by God to warn of impending doom. All were called, however, to restore the people to faithfulness, and often to warn against apostasy, against oppression of those who were poor and needy, and against violation of the covenant and its stipulations.Most important of all, however, the prophets were to reveal the promise of salvation found in the Messiah. The enduring testimony of the biblical prophets and of His Spirit in our post-apostolic era calls us to recognize and to warn others of the impending crisis that will come upon the world. Yet central to that warning is the good news of redemption for Jesus' faithful people, those who have remained in covenantal relationship with Him (Rev. 12:17).Read Genesis 15:6, Galatians 3:6-9, and Hebrews 11:8. What about Abraham's life and character qualified him for God's service, even though he was, clearly, a flawed man?There are many parallels between Abraham's day and ours. As paganism and idolatry ran rampant in Abraham's day, so today many of the world's competing ideologies aim to eliminate or marginalize Christianity. In contrast with much of the prevailing culture, God's people today are called to reflect His image faithfully in their daily interactions with others, including their proclamation of the three angels' messages (Rev. 14:6-12).Scripture says that Abram "believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6). How do you see the promise of the gospel powerfully revealed in this text? What hope can you take from this for yourself?
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  Episode 2901 - Lesson 2 - Sabbath Oct 03 - The Call of a Prophet 03.10.2026 7min

  Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week’s Study: Gen. 15:6, Gal. 3:6-9, 1 Kings 18:19-39, Isaiah 53, Dan. 2:46-48, Mark 1:2-5, Matt. 11:1-6Memory Text: "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me'" (Isaiah 6:8, NKJV).In biblical times, prophets often played key roles in the history of God's people. Sometimes they were center stage, taking powerful, if not crucial, positions in the life of the community.However, being a prophet was a difficult calling. Their lives were often not easy, but filled with sorrow, rejection, misunderstanding, and frustration.Often God's prophets did not readily accept their call to the prophetic office. And no wonder. Many prophets were strongly opposed by those who should have welcomed their messages. God's prophets were ignored, ridiculed, beaten, or jailed. Others were stoned or hunted like wild animals. Several were martyred.Today in a generation flooded with violence, greed, immorality, exploitation, and all manner of satanic influences, the prophetic voice is often rejected or simply ignored. We are called to heed the voice of God's prophets and to be messengers of the hope given to us through the prophets.Last week we learned that, after the Fall in Eden, God worked to reestablish communication with human beings. This week we will examine some monumental times in history when God called prophets to realign His people with His messages for a fallen world.*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 10.
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  Episode 2900 🎊 - Lesson 1 - Friday October 02 - Ellen G. White 02.10.2026 8min

  Ellen G. WhiteGod's communication is not limited to biblical times. As we will see in coming weeks, God speaks to human beings in perpetuity, and His words will be manifested in modern ways until Christ returns.Ellen Gould Harmon White and her twin sister Elizabeth were born on November 26, 1827, in Gorham, Maine. They were the youngest of eight children born to Robert and Eunice Harmon. In a few years, the family moved to the city of Portland, Maine, where Robert Harmon hoped to expand his hat-making business. At age 9, Ellen suffered an injury that affected her physically, emotionally, and socially. While she was in a park near her home, an angry classmate threw a stone that struck her in the face, leaving Ellen in a semi-conscious state for several weeks. This accident abruptly ended her formal education and left her with lifelong health challenges. The facial injuries also left Ellen self-conscious about her appearance, limiting her social interactions.It is in this context of uncertainty that the young Ellen Harmon began to think about her spiritual destiny. She was afraid of God and felt unworthy of heaven. Such fearful feelings intensified when the Harmon family accepted the Millerite doctrine of the soon second coming of Jesus. Even after her baptism by immersion into the Methodist Church in 1842, Ellen did not feel worthy of God's love. She believed she was "forever lost" (Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 29; also see pp. 20-31).Amid these agonizing thoughts, young Ellen had two dreams that began to change her mind about God. But it was not until she met Levi Stockman, a Methodist preacher, that she understood and felt God's love and grace. It was as if God spoke to her in her despair. "Faith now took possession of my heart," she wrote later. "I felt an inexpressible love for God and had the witness of His Spirit that my sins were pardoned. My views of the Father were changed. I now looked upon Him as a kind and tender parent, rather than a stern tyrant compelling men to a blind obedience. My heart went out toward Him in a deep and fervent love."—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 39. At the same time, Ellen White also understood the doctrine of the "state of the dead" and gradually grasped the idea that there was no forever-burning hell. Her new understanding of God and His love completely changed her attitude. As we will learn each Friday in the weeks to come, Ellen White fell deeply in love with Jesus and served Him for the rest of her life.To discover more, visit https://whiteestate.org/absg/1.
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  Episode 2899 - Lesson 1 - Thursday October 01 - God's Spokespeople🗣️🗣️ 01.10.2026 9min

  God's Spokespeople🗣️🗣️What do the following texts reveal about how God has spoken to humanity after the entrance of sin? (Read Heb. 1:1-2; Rom. 1:19-20; Num. 12:6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; John 14:7-9; John 10:27-30.)In spite of sin, God found many ways to communicate with fallen human beings. One way God reveals Himself to us is through creation. Nature is a powerful revelation of His wonderful acts. Scientists are amazed by the wonders of our universe and at the complexity of even the "simplest" life. Yet nature also displays the consequences of the Fall, with the death of every living thing the most powerful example.Another way in which God has spoken to humanity is through the prophets—individuals whom He has chosen as His spokespersons. For example, God spoke to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Daniel, revealing His will for His people. At their core, God's prophetic messages are a reminder that He has not forgotten His children and is still with them. And though some of the prophets wrote what has come to us as Scripture, others never wrote any books of the Bible.However, many of the prophets' words were communicated through Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The Bible is a revelation of God Himself. It is through His words that we learn who He is, see His relentless love, and discover His guidance for how we are to live.Moreover, it is through the Bible that we understand who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. There we find God's purpose for our lives.But the most effective way in which God has spoken to us is through Jesus Christ, who, of course, is revealed to us in the Bible. As God sought Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, so Christ came to "seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). " 'He who has seen Me has seen the Father,' " Jesus declared (John 14:9, NKJV). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ fulfilled the promise given to Adam and Eve in Eden. He came and died in our place so that we may have eternal life through Him.After Jesus' ascension to heaven, the Holy Spirit has continued to guide us " 'into all the truth' " and to speak to us of " 'what is yet to come' " (John 16:13, NIV).How much comfort do you get from knowing that Jesus, His love, His character, and His self-sacrifice, reveal to us what God the Father is really like?
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  Episode 2898 - Lesson 1 - Wednesday Sep. 30 - Expelled from the Garden 🚫 30.09.2026 16min

  Expelled From the Garden 🚫One of the most devastating consequences of Adam's and Eve's sin was separation from God. They were expelled from the Garden and could no longer speak with God face-to-face. The prophet Isaiah memorably wrote about this challenging human condition: "Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you" (Isa. 59:2, NKJV).In truth, Adam and Eve were still God's children. However, the result of sin could not be avoided, and they had to leave Eden. Nothing was to be the same after their disobedience.Sin has changed humanity in many ways (see Gen. 3:14-24). But how has sin specifically changed our communication with God? (See also Exod. 19:16-22.)Sin entirely changed human life in ways we cannot imagine, and that is because all we know is a world of sin. Because of sin, the land was "cursed" and was to produce "thorns and thistles." Humans would now experience pain, and they would have to "sweat" in order to provide food for themselves, only finally to die and return to the ground. Of all the reminders of sin, death remains the most powerful. At the same time, too, because of sin we lost our face-to-face communication with God.However, Adam and Eve were promised a solution to counteract the ravages of sin. Although our first parents were not to see and talk to God directly, they left Eden with hope for the present and future. God took the initiative and explained to them His rescue plan.Genesis 3:15, what has been called "the first gospel promise," was filled with hope for them (and us), despite what had happened. The promise of a coming Redeemer would provide present enmity against sin and hope for the future salvation of humanity. In fact, God's provision of clothing for Adam and Eve before they left the Garden was a symbolic act depicting their future redemption. Through the future death and resurrection of Jesus, communion with God was to be restored (John 14:1-3).That is, right there in Eden, right after the entrance of sin, humanity was given the hope and promise that the sin problem ultimately would be solved. As soon as there was sin, there was the promise of a Savior.How have you felt after doing something that was not right? Guilt? Shame? Self-loathing? What were the consequences? How did your faith in God, and the promise of the gospel, keep you from giving up on faith entirely?
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  Episode 2897 - Lesson 1 - Tuesday Sep. 29 - God Seeks Humanity 🔎 29.09.2026 12min

  God Seeks Humanity🔎We can see from Genesis 3:9-10 that God took the initiative to seek His fallen children. The question "Where are you?" was rhetorical, because God knew what Adam and Eve had done and where they were. Sin, nevertheless, cut off the usual communication that existed between Him and the first human couple. God's immediate concern was to restore communication with His children, to meet with them, and to give them hope in their despair. In fact, the Hebrew verb qara', "call," in Genesis 3:9, is often used to describe God's call to establish communication with His people.Read Luke 15:11-32. How does this parable reflect what happened in Genesis 3:9-10?God's seeking Adam and Eve reveals His unconditional love for His children. God never gives up on us (see Luke 15). He goes to great lengths to re-establish His communion with us, even when we go into hiding. Before Jesus' crucifixion, when Peter denied Jesus three times, Christ "turned and looked" (Luke 22:61, NKJV) at him. Even without words, He "spoke" to Peter and sought to reach His erring friend.Notice, in Genesis 3:11-13, how sin suddenly changed Adam's and Eve's relationship. Instead of confessing their individual sin, they began to blame others. Adam blamed Eve and, indirectly, God, because He gave him Eve. " 'The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate,' " he said (Gen. 3:12, NKJV). Eve, meanwhile, blamed the serpent for her disobedience. " 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate' " (Gen. 3:13) was her excuse. Neither one of them, at least when first confronted for their sin, would own up to their own guilt. How little has changed in six thousand years.The reality is that sin has affected all human beings. The apostle Paul describes our condition well in Romans 7:15-24, when he detailed the pain of desiring to do what is right, only to find himself doing the opposite: "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do" (Rom. 7:15, NKJV).Who cannot relate?What Paul says is profound. We are all broken people who keep on doing things we know we should not do. Who hasn't experienced this reality?Our only hope, says Paul, is deliverance "through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 7:25). This is why God continues to seek us to lead us to Jesus, who alone can mold us into His image and save us from the devastation caused by sin.
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  Episode 2897 - Lesson 1 - Monday Spe. 28 - Hiding from God 28.09.2026 10min

  Hiding From GodBecause God is love (1 John 4:8), He would not create human "robots." Love embraces choice. To be able to love, Adam and Eve had to be created with free will; otherwise, love, true love, would be impossible for them to give.Thus, Adam and Eve had the freedom to obey or disobey their Creator. The reality of this free choice was depicted in the command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (see Gen. 2:15-17). Why warn them against eating from it unless they had the freedom to do so in the first place?"Our first parents, though created innocent and holy, were not placed beyond the possibility of wrongdoing. God made them free moral agents, capable of appreciating the wisdom and benevolence of His character and the justice of His requirements, and with full liberty to yield or to withhold obedience. They were to enjoy communion with God and with holy angels. . . . Without freedom of choice, his obedience would not have been voluntary, but forced."—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 48, 49.Why did Adam and Eve attempt to hide from their Creator after they disobeyed Him? See Genesis 3:1-8 (compare with Jer. 23:24 and Heb. 4:13).Genesis 3 depicts an awful scene—the fall of Adam and Eve. After the epic conversation between the serpent (Satan) and Eve, our first parents were tempted to eat from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil," which they were forbidden to do. Satan used the power of words, emotions, and pleasurable enticements to convince Eve, who then convinced Adam, to go against God's command. Eve noted that the tree was "good for food," "pleasant to the eyes," and "desirable to make one wise" (Gen. 3:6, NKJV). The promise of Satan that they would be " 'like God, knowing good and evil' " (Gen. 3:5, NKJV) sounded irresistible.In reality, Satan's discourse was riddled with error. Satan hid from them the consequences of their disobedience. After they disobeyed God, their eyes were immediately "opened," and they saw that they were "naked." God's "garment" of light and glory (Ps. 104:1-2), which reflected the divine "image," was gone. They were no longer covered by that which God had provided for them. No wonder Adam and Eve hid themselves from their Creator (as if it were really possible to hide from God). They attempted to hide because sin makes us feel guilty and, in our guilt, we want to flee from the presence of God.What has been your own experience with shame and seeking to hide from God after you have sinned?
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  Episode 2896 - Lesson 1 - Sunday - Sep. 27 - Communication in Eden🔉 27.09.2026 8min

  Communication in EdenGenesis 1 and 2 tell the Creation story. God created a beautiful world, and in it He put Adam and Eve, the crowning act of creation. Humans differed from every other creature on earth because they were made "in the image of God" (Gen. 1:27, NKJV), something said only about them and not, for example, about the birds or about other animals. As such, they were to live wholistically abundant lives, experience love in all its forms, and walk in communion with God Himself.Also, we read in Genesis 2:18-23 that God created Eve for Adam because, God said, it was " 'not good that man should be alone' " (Gen. 2:18, NKJV). Right from the beginning, then, humans were created as social beings. Sociologists today teach that human interaction provides numerous benefits to our physical and mental well-being, while loneliness is a killer.It is no wonder, then, that after the creation of Eve, Adam exclaimed, " 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man' " (Gen. 2:23, NKJV). The familial structure established by one male and one female joined in matrimony is the first social institution God provided for humans, in order for them to experience wholistic relationship and communion. It is no wonder that one of Satan's main goals always has been to destroy the fundamental dynamics of the original family.Read Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:15-17; and Genesis 3:9. What kind of communication existed between God and humans in the Garden of Eden?Adam and Eve enjoyed face-to-face communion with God. As intelligent beings, they were able to meet with God and to listen to His instructions. As stewards of God's wonderful garden, they grew in knowledge and skill as they cared for the living flora and fauna. Each day they also had special time with God "in the cool of the day" (Gen. 3:8). The Sabbath day in particular, an essential part of God's creative act, was to be a specially dedicated time of communion between God and His children (Gen. 2:2-3; Exod. 20:8-11). On that day, our first parents experienced God's love and care for them in a special way.It's hard for us today, thousands of years from Eden, to imagine what it must have been like before sin. Yet, even now, how does the natural world point back to God's original creation?
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  Episode 2895 - Lesson 1 - Saturday Sep. 26 - The Creator Speaks 🗣️ 26.09.2026 4min

  Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week’s Study: Gen. 1:27-28; Gen. 3:1-8; Luke 15:11-32; Gen. 3:14-24; Exod. 19:16-22; John 10:27-30Memory Text: "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2, NKJV).Digital technology allows many of us to see friends and relatives in faraway places. This is fine. But, still, how much better to meet in person! There is something special that happens when we get together, exchange hugs, and talk face-to-face.This week we will be reminded that human beings were created for a face-to-face relationship with their Creator. Sin, however, destroyed this intimate connection long ago. To restore that communication with His beloved creatures, God has provided ways to speak to us. His most recognized form of divine interaction with humankind is carefully chosen spokespersons, known as prophets, who reveal His messages to us. These prophets often have writings in the Bible, but not always.God's ultimate plan is to restore His image in us, the image that sin has shattered. This is what the plan of salvation is about: restoration, a restoration that will be complete when God creates "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pet. 3:13, NKJV).Until then, God still talks to us, and He still uses His prophets to do just that.*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 3.
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  The Gift of Prophecy - Introduction Sabbath School Bible Study Guide - 4th Quarter 2026 25.09.2026 15min

  The Gift of ProphecyNeuroscientists have begun to understand the marvelous facility of human infants for language acquisition. At 6 months, a baby can understand the sounds that comprise English words, or words from any of the other 7,000-plus spoken languages. If exposed to a second language, they can acquire that language, as well. During this period a mysterious mental door opens, allowing infants to distinguish the 40 or so sounds that generally make up a native language from the 800 different sounds that they can perceive at birth. But there is one catch: babies must be spoken to. You might call it voice lessons for newborns.Why would God create us with this wonderful capacity for speech recognition and language acquisition if He never intended to speak to us? The question is rhetorical, of course—for the Bible declares, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds" (Heb. 1:1-2, NKJV).When sin shattered Adam's and Eve's communion with God, He did not wash His hands of them and leave the fallen pair to self-destruct. He came looking for them both, asking Adam, " 'Where are you?' " (Gen. 3:9, NKJV). He went on to prophesy about the birth of One who would save the world from sin (Gen. 3:15). From its inception, right there in Eden after the Fall, prophecy has uplifted Jesus and pointed sinners to Him, their only hope.This quarter we will study the gift of prophecy, God's ingenious innovation for communicating His will and way to fallen human beings, who can no longer commune face-to-face with Him. This special gift of the Holy Spirit is mentioned prominently in 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 14, Ephesians 4, and Romans 12. The Holy Spirit is the Great Dispenser of this and all other spiritual gifts, "distributing to each one individually as He wills" (1 Cor. 12:11, NKJV). Throughout time, spiritually gifted spokespersons have delivered divine messages to restore and renew our relationship with God, just as God did in Eden after the Fall.We will learn how God calls prophets and how we can test their authenticity. We will see the similarities and differences between Old and New Testament prophets, as well as gain a working understanding of how revelation and inspiration function in their lives. While some prophets spoke, others wrote; some did both. We will examine these and other modes of divine discourse, their implications, and the blessings of obeying the messages that these prophets delivered.God uses the gift of prophecy for five crucial purposes: 1. To reveal Himself, His truth, and His will for fallen humanity. 2. To give insight and counsel regarding important events and happenings. 3. To equip the body of Christ—the church—for mission. 4. To provide spiritual encouragement to His followers. 5. To awaken sinners and call them to repentance. In addition, "the spirit of prophecy" is one of two distinguishing marks of God's end-time remnant church (Rev. 12:17, Rev. 19:10).So invested is God in guiding the lost safely home that the gift of prophecy is provided for the last days as well (Joel 2:28-31). Seventh-day Adventists believe—with very good reasons—that Ellen G. White, cofounder of the church, exercised a modern manifestation of the prophetic gift.This is why, along with our study of the gift of prophecy in Scripture, each Friday we will explore the dynamics of Ellen G. White's call to prophetic ministry. We, as a church, have been given this wonderful gift. How do we best use it?Yes, from infancy onward, we have been wired to be spoken to. How important, then, that we listen to what God's prophets tell us!This Adult Bible Study Guide was produced by the ministry team of the White Estate office, in Silver Spring, Maryland. By sharing Ellen White's prophetic ministry and writings throughout the world.
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  Episode 2894 - Lesson 13 - Friday Sep. 25 - Further Thought 25.09.2026 15min

  Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, " 'Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,' " pp. 662-680, in The Desire of Ages."The grace of Jesus Christ alone can change the heart of stone to a heart of flesh, and make it alive unto God. . . . Men have no power to justify the soul, to sanctify the heart. Moral disease cannot be healed save through the power of the great Physician. The highest gift of heaven, even the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, is alone able to redeem the lost."--Ellen G. White, in The Signs of the Times, May 2, 1892. " 'God is love.' 1 John 4:16. His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been; it ever will be. 'The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,' whose 'ways are everlasting,' changeth not. With Him 'is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' Isaiah 57:15; Habakkuk 3:6; James 1:17. Every manifestation of creative power is an expression of infinite love. The sovereignty of God involves fullness of blessing to all created beings. . . . The history of the great conflict between good and evil, from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also a demonstration of God's unchanging love."--Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 33."We need to realize that the Holy Spirit . . . is as much a person as God is a person. . . . The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God."--Ellen G. White, The Faith I Live By, p. 52."There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will cooperate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ."--Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 615.Discussion Questions:A well-known Christian song is entitled "Amazing Grace." What is amazing about the grace of Jesus?A beautiful portrayal of God's love can be found in the parable of the prodigal son. How do we know the father in this parable is a loving father?How can local churches demonstrate that the "fellowship of the Spirit" is a reality there?
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  Episode 2893 - Lesson 13 - Thursday Sep. 24 - Our Triune God 24.09.2026 16min

  Our Triune GodWhen reading 2 Corinthians 13:14, one may think that Christ is the only source of grace, God is the only source of love, and the Holy Spirit is the only source of fellowship, but nothing could be further from the truth.Read 1 Corinthians 1:3-4, 9; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 2 Corinthians 1:2, 12; Romans 8:35; Romans 15:30; Galatians 2:20; and Ephesians 3:19. What do these passages say about grace, love, and fellowship in connection with the members of the Trinity?The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit work together for our salvation. Grace, love, and fellowship come not from only one but the Three Members of the Godhead. Yet, each One has specific functions in the history of salvation. Paul is aware of and emphasizes this teaching in his letters. For instance, the plan of salvation is told with an incredible economy of words in Galatians 4:4-6, with the respective participation of the Three Members of the Godhead. God the Father sent Jesus, which suggests that the Father is the Source of that plan (Gal. 4:4). The Son was born of a woman (Gal. 4:4), which is a reference to the Incarnation and points to the fulfillment of an ancient promise (Gen. 3:15). The Son redeemed and brought us back to the correct relationship with the Father, whom Satan had lied about (Gen. 3:5). And the Holy Spirit legitimizes our identity as children of God (Gal. 4:6).There are several other references to the Trinity in the Pauline letters. The three act together, enabling the church for mission (1 Cor. 12:4-6), giving us spiritual strength (Eph. 3:14-19), and promoting a profound unity among church members, one that replicates the unity that marks the very relationship of the members of the Godhead (Eph. 4:4-6). In Paul's understanding, not only is God triune, but also the three Persons of the Godhead work together for our salvation (Eph. 1:3, 13, 14). In Ephesians, Paul goes as far as to mention that we must be filled with the fullness of the Father (Eph. 3:19), the Son (Eph. 4:13), and the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18).In bringing the correspondence with the Corinthians to a close (2 Cor. 13:14), Paul could not finish with a better ending--a promise that the three Dignitaries of the universe, the heavenly Trio, would be with us now and in the age to come.How should fellowship among church members reflect the lovely relationship of the Godhead?
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  Episode 2892 - Lesson 13 - Wednesday Sep. 23 - The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit 23.09.2026 10min

  The Fellowship of the Holy SpiritThe grace of Jesus not only reveals the love of God for us but also brings the fellowship of the Spirit as a further effect of that love. At the same time, fellowship has its source in the love of God. And that is because without love, there is no fellowship. As Paul writes: "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" (Phil. 2:1-2, NKJV).Some people say that the Holy Spirit is only a force or influence, but that cannot be true. After all, why would Paul mention two persons--the Father and the Son--along with a mere "force" in a trinitarian formula? That would make no sense. Just as the Father and the Son are presented in a personal relationship (2 Cor. 1:3, 2 Cor. 11:31), the relationship of the Spirit with persons leads us to the conclusion that He is also a person (Rom. 8:15-16; see also John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26).The phrase "fellowship of the Spirit" (Phil. 2:1) can be understood in two ways. It can mean fellowship with one another granted by the Spirit, or fellowship with the Spirit Himself. Several Bible interpreters argue that these senses are not mutually exclusive. After all, fellowship with one another is the consequence of fellowship with the Spirit.Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:11; and 2 Corinthians 3:6, 17. What did Paul teach to the Corinthians about the Spirit?Paul has much to say about the work of the Spirit. In 1 and 2 Corinthians, there are more than forty references to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit promotes the edification of the church (1 Cor. 14:12), enables people for mission (1 Cor. 2:4-5), reveals the deep things of God to us (1 Cor. 2:10-11), and teaches them to us (1 Cor. 2:13), dwells in us (1 Cor. 3:16, 1 Cor. 6:19), works with Christ for our justification (1 Cor. 6:11), bestows spiritual gifts to the church (1 Corinthians 12-14), seals us for salvation (2 Cor. 1:22), imprints the law in human hearts (2 Cor. 3:3), and gives new life in Christ (2 Cor. 3:6), and freedom from sin (2 Cor. 3:17). For sure, we cannot live without the Holy Spirit.Why, too, is an understanding of the divinity of the Holy Spirit important for fully grasping God's love for us?
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  Episode 2891 - Lesson 13 - Tuesday Sep 22 - The God of Love 22.09.2026 14min

  The God of LoveIn the ancient pagan world, people did not believe that the gods loved humans. Instead, the gods were malevolent and furious, and were supposed to be appeased. The idea of a God of love, as we see in the Bible, was a novelty. As surprising as this statement was in his time, Paul characterizes our God as "the God of love and peace" (2 Cor. 13:11).Read 2 Corinthians 13:11. How can you draw hope from what is said here? How can you better experience what this verse teaches?The phrase "the God of love and peace" can be interpreted in two different ways. On the one hand, God is seen as the source of love and peace. On the other hand, God is characterized by love and peace. It is not necessary, however, to decide between the two. Because love and peace are intrinsic characteristics of God, He gives us love and peace.Elsewhere, Paul refers to God as "the God of endurance and encouragement" (Rom. 15:5, ESV); "of hope" (Rom. 15:13, ESV); "of peace" (Rom. 15:33, Rom. 16:20, 1 Cor. 14:33, Phil. 4:9, 1 Thess. 5:23), "the Father of mercies" (2 Cor. 1:3), and "the God of all comfort" (2 Cor. 1:3). God is the source of all these blessings. He gives us them all out of His unfailing love.Also, although the phrase "God of peace" is somewhat common in the Bible, the phrase "God of love" occurs only here (2 Cor. 13:11), and, hence, it deserves our most profound reflection.As many interpreters have noticed, Paul's reference to the God of love a few verses before the trinitarian benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 suggests that he thinks of God as three Persons. "Though he uses the word 'God' here as one of the three, his understanding of Jesus and the Spirit elsewhere in his letters ... forces us to see the whole phrase as describing the one God whom the earliest church came to see in threefold form. It would be over a century before theologians ... began to use words like 'trinity' as a shorthand way of expressing what Paul is already articulating."--Tom Wright, Paul for Everyone: 2 Corinthians (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), p. 148.We believe in one God, the unity of three Persons who live eternally in a relationship of love. This triune God loves us and summons us to love one another in a way that reflects the love among the Three Members of the Godhead.
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  Episode 2890 - Lesson 13 - Monday Sep. 21 - The Love of God 21.09.2026 12min

  The Love of God"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" (2 Cor. 13:14, NKJV). With this verse, Paul ends his second letter. Notice that He mentions the three Persons of the Trinity in this order--Son, Father, and Holy Spirit. It is through the work of all three that we can better understand what God is like and what He has done for us.Read John 3:16-17; Romans 8:37-39; and 1 John 4:8-11. What do these passages tell us about the love of God?1 John 4:8 says that "God is love." Love is an essential attribute of God. John emphasizes that we can know love in that God gave His only Son to die for us (John 3:16). God sent Jesus on a rescue mission (John 3:17), and this was part of the project of salvation (Acts 3:20-21; 1 John 4:10, 14). Jesus referred to the Father several times in the Gospels as One who sent Him (Matt. 10:40, Mark 9:37).In a remarkable statement, Paul says, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8, NIV). We can glimpse God's love in the sweet relationship between husband and wife, as well as parents and their children, in sincere friendships, and so forth. We can also see God's love in nature. In that regard, Ellen G. White says, "'God is love' is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green--all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy."--Steps to Christ, p. 10.However, nothing is more convincing than God's giving Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. When we understand that God loved us to the point of sending Jesus to lay down His life for us, our response is willingness "to lay down our lives for the brothers" (1 John 3:16, ESV).Paul wanted the Corinthians to live in unity. However, without love, there is no unity. That is why he taught them that "love builds up" (1 Cor. 8:1, ESV) and that without love, everything is useless and empty (1 Cor. 13:1-3). So, all we do must be done in love (1 Cor. 16:14), a love that is an extension of God's love.What would we lose in the gospel if Jesus Himself were not fully and eternally God?
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  Episode 2889 - Sunday Sep. 20 - The Grace of Jesus 20.09.2026 10min

  The Grace of JesusIt is inspiring that at the end of 2 Corinthians, we see a reference to the grace of Jesus, just as in the opening (2 Cor. 1:2, 2 Cor. 13:14). Paul begins and closes this letter with a reference to His grace. As we saw at the beginning of this quarter, he couldn't stop thinking and speaking about Jesus."For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9, NKJV).How admirable and irresistible is the grace of Jesus! He left the riches of His eternal existence in heaven to become poor. He walked down the dusty roads of ancient Galilee. "He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Phil. 2:8, ESV). He did so in order for us to become "rich," namely, for us to have a chance to be with Him in heaven. It's hard for us, who have known only a world of sin, death, and suffering, even to begin to grasp what it meant for Jesus to have left the courts of heaven in order to come here and offer His life for us.Read Romans 16:20, Galatians 6:18, Philippians 4:23, and 1 Thessalonians 5:28. What important teaching do you see in these passages?Paul refers to the grace of Jesus very often in his letters. Some pearls include, "The free gift by the grace of ... Jesus Christ abounded for many" (Rom. 5:15, ESV). Those who receive this abundance of grace will "reign in life through ... Jesus" (Rom. 5:17, ESV). As occurs with 2 Corinthians, Paul also begins and closes other letters mentioning the grace of Jesus (Rom. 1:7, Rom. 16:20, 1 Cor. 1:3, 1 Cor. 16:23, Gal. 1:3, Gal. 6:18, Phil. 1:2, Phil. 4:23). This topic occupied his thought, and he wanted it to fill the minds of the Corinthians, too.This was his wish for all the churches. Notice what he says to the Ephesians: "Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love" (Eph. 6:24, NIV). Would he wish for us to love Jesus less than that, an undying love? Certainly not. After all, his wish was for the grace of Jesus to reach "more and more people" (2 Cor. 4:15, NIV) and become sufficient for them just as it was for him (2 Cor. 12:9).Think about God's grace toward you like this. What do you deserve for the kind of things that you have said and done? What, however, does God's grace offer you instead?
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  Episode 2888 - Lesson 13 - Saturday Sep. 19 - Grace, Love, and Fellowship 19.09.2026 11min

  Sabbath AfternoonRead for This Week's Study: 2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 16:20; 1 John 4:8-11; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 2:1-2; Gal. 4:4-6Memory Text: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14, ESV).As if Paul didn't have enough problems already, Paul closes 2 Corinthians by re-emphasizing essential elements addressed in his letters. He does this through five imperatives (2 Cor. 13:11).The first imperative, "Rejoice" (ESV), recalls earlier texts in the letters.The second imperative, "Strive for full restoration" (NIV), translates a single word in Greek (katartizō), which appears here and in 1 Corinthians 1:10.The third, "Encourage one another" (NIV), resumes 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. Paul begins and closes his second letter with encouragement. We receive God's encouragement in order to encourage others (2 Cor. 1:4, 6).The fourth and fifth imperatives, "Be of one mind, live in peace" (2 Cor. 13:11, NKJV), are a call to unity. This atmosphere of joy, restoration, encouragement, unity, and peace is the condition for the presence of God, "the God of love and peace" (2 Cor. 13:11, ESV). It results from our triune God's work in the human heart (2 Cor. 13:14).Grace, love, and fellowship result from the work of the triune God for us. These three Christian features promote an atmosphere characterized by God's presence.* Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 26.
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  Episode 2887 - Lesson 12 - Friday Sep. 18 - Further Thought 18.09.2026 16min

  Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, "The Laodicean Church," p. 125, in The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 30, 1873."The Lord is guarding his people against a repetition of the errors and mistakes of the past. There have always abounded false teachers who, advocating erroneous doctrines and unholy practices, and working upon false principles in a most specious, covered, deceptive manner, have endeavored to deceive, if possible, the very elect."--Ellen G. White, in The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, January 7, 1904."The Lord designs that our opinions shall be put to the test, that we may see the necessity of closely examining the living oracles to see whether or not we are in the faith. Many who claim to believe the truth have settled down at their ease, saying, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing."--Ellen G. White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 36."Men entertain errors, when the truth is clearly marked out; and if they would but bring their doctrines to the word of God, and not read the word of God in the light of their doctrines, to prove their ideas right, they would not walk in darkness and blindness, or cherish error. Many give the words of Scripture a meaning that suits their own opinions, and they mislead themselves and deceive others by their misinterpretations of God's word. As we take up the study of God's word, we should do so with humble hearts. All selfishness, all love of originality, should be laid aside. Long-cherished opinions must not be regarded as infallible."--Ellen G. White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 36, 37.Discussion Questions:Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 again. What is Paul's strategy to face spiritual "wars" for God's truth, and how can we apply it to our own spiritual wars?The Bible says that before the end comes, many false teachers would try to lure people away from the truth. What can your local church do to prevent members from being persuaded by false teachers who might even be in your same church? Why is this so essential for the fulfillment of the church's mission?Why did Paul find it necessary to boast about a long list of sufferings (2 Cor. 11:16-33)? Also, what does it mean "to boast in the Lord"?Why is it important for church members to examine themselves in order to see whether they are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5)? What difference does it make?
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  Episode 2886 - Lesson 12 - Thursday Sep. 17 - Appeal to the Unrepentant 17.09.2026 9min

  Appeal to the UnrepentantIn 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:10, Paul informs the church about his third visit (2 Cor. 12:14, 2 Cor. 13:1). He had shown that he is not inferior to any of the false apostles and is now confident to come to Corinth once again and try to restore unrepentant members. In fact, this was one of the primary purposes of this visit. All Paul did and spoke was meant for the edification of the church (2 Cor. 12:19).Read 2 Corinthians 12:20-21. What sins were jeopardizing the spiritual condition of the Corinthian church?The list of sins in 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 is similar to others found elsewhere in Paul's letters (Rom. 1:29-31, Gal. 5:19-21). The first two items appear in 1 Corinthians 3:3, where Paul refers to jealousy and strife among the members in Corinth. Paul fears that things would not be too different by the time of his third visit. He says, "I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish." Conversely, he says, "You may find me not as you wish" (2 Cor. 12:20, ESV). This means that rather than dealing with them "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1, ESV), he would now be "ready to punish every disobedience" (2 Cor. 10:6, ESV).His main concern is that those members who had been involved with "impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality" may not have repented (2 Cor. 12:21, ESV). And it is sins like these that cause divisions in the church.Next, Paul focuses on the role of church discipline to restore those in sin (2 Cor. 13:1-4). Weakness is not an excuse for a sinful way of life. There is power available for those who want to live a victorious life (2 Cor. 13:4). The fact that some in Corinth practiced sexual sin is evidence that God's power was not a reality in their lives. Paul wanted them to repent and experience the power that leads to obedience. Disciplining them was the last thing he wanted to do. He says, "We pray to God that you may not do wrong . . ., but that you may do what is right. . . . Your restoration is what we pray for" (2 Cor. 13:7-9, ESV). What a beautiful prayer! He asks them to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith.Read 2 Corinthians 13:5. What does it mean to be in the faith? How can you know that you are in the faith?
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  Episode 2885 - Lesson 12 - Wednesday Sep. 16 - Sufferings for the Sake of the Gospel 16.09.2026 11min

  Sufferings for the Sake of the GospelAfter exposing the false teachers as agents of Satan (2 Cor. 11:1-15), Paul now "plays" their game by boasting a little as a fool might (2 Cor. 11:16-21) so that the Corinthians could see how senseless it was to give ears to the false teachers' speech. If the Corinthians held them in high regard, Paul deserved higher consideration. His sufferings for the gospel show that he was a faithful servant of Christ (2 Cor. 11:22-23).Read 2 Corinthians 11:22-28. What point is Paul making here?While Paul's Jewish credentials are identical to those of the false teachers (2 Cor. 11:22), his service to Christ surpasses theirs (2 Cor. 11:23). "Are they ministers of Christ?" he asks. The answer is "I am more." His labors were more abundant; his imprisonments, more frequent; his beatings, more severe.But this is not all. His list of sufferings also includes five instances of thirty-nine strokes (2 Cor. 11:24), beatings with rods, stoning, shipwrecks, danger in deep waters (2 Cor. 11:25), danger at journeys, danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from countrymen, danger from Gentiles, danger in crowded cities, danger in desolate country, danger at sea, danger from false believers (2 Cor. 11:26), strenuous labors, exhausting toils, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, food shortage, cold, and nakedness (2 Cor. 11:27). As if that weren't enough, he still had to deal with mental anguish because of his deep anxiety for the churches (2 Cor. 11:28).Only a true servant of Christ would be willing to suffer like this for the gospel. If Paul were really to boast about his sufferings, he had much to say. However, the next section of the letter shows that the reason for his boast was based not on what he did for Christ but on what Christ had done for him. Paul knew that God's power is more visibly displayed in human weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10). By giving him a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7), God protected Paul from boasting about his accomplishments. This kept him humble, aware of his weakness, dependent on divine power, and in the condition of receiving more of God's grace and mercy.Have you also been suffering for the sake of the gospel? What have you learned from this experience? How can the way Paul dealt with his sufferings help you deal with yours?