Sabbath School Lesson for January 24-30, 2026
Introduction on Lesson 5, Shining as Lights in the Night
Memory Text: “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14, 15 NKJV
Jesus declared Himself to be the light of the world (John 8:12 and Isaiah 49:6). That was the mission given Him by the Father and affirmed by Paul in his letter to the Philippians.
But we are called to be a light as well (Matthew 5:14). By surrendering our lives to Christ and developing a close walk with Him, we are able to reflect His light of love and mercy to those around us. This is the mission plan of God’s followers. He empowers us to do good works that glorify the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Paul uses the theme and metaphor of light repeatedly in his letters to the churches. Working in unity with each other and with God, we can be instruments in lighting up this dark and perverse world today. People are touched by acts of kindness and by witnessing our grace and peace, even under hardship and suffering.
- Sunday: We Work Out What God Works In
- Monday: Light in a Dark World
- Tuesday: A Living Sacrifice
- Wednesday: Proven Character
- Thursday: “Hold Such Men in Esteem”
Sunday: We Work Out What God Works In
Many are perplexed by the words of Paul when he tells us to “work out our own salvation” (Philippians 2:12). Even the troubling words that follow, to do it “with fear and trembling”, makes many of us scratch our heads in confusion.
Perhaps we can better understand the intent of these words if we continue reading the next verse, which reminds us that God is the One who works in us (Philippians 2:13). We work OUT our salvation by doing good works, but God works IN US, providing us with the power to do good works. It’s a team effort. We need to listen to God and follow His instructions. He guides us and provides us with the faith and strength to accomplish His mission.
Paul made it clear in other verses that salvation is God’s work, we can do nothing to save ourselves, and even faith is a gift. His reminder to the Philippians was simply for them to work hard to show others the salvation they had been given. Humble, reverent obedience is the result of being saved. It is not faith AND works we are seeing in Paul’s letters, but one might understand the relationship better by seeing that it is faith THAT works. Works are the evidence of our faith.
Verses and questions:
Philippians 2:12, 13
- What kind of work are we expected to do for God?
- How do we obey “with fear and trembling”? What does that mean to you?
Romans 3:23, 24, 5:8, and Ephesians 2:8-10
- How do these verses point out the work God plays in our salvation?
- What part do we play in our being saved?
Monday: Light in a Dark World
Try stargazing next time you are out camping, away from bright, artificial city lights. It’s amazing how many more stars you will see in the sky. In the same way, the darker the world becomes, the brighter God’s followers will shine. Our acts of goodness will stand out in stark contrast to the selfish, arrogant ways of the world.
Paul told the Philippians how to shine. By not complaining and arguing with each other, their lights would shine brighter together, showing the world what Jesus had done for them through the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s words in Philippians 2:15, telling them to be “blameless and harmless”, remind us that the world is watching how we conduct ourselves. We need to “hold fast to the word” if we are to fulfill God’s mission in such trying times (Philippians 2:16).
Verses and questions:
Philippians 2:14
- How does not complaining or disputing with each other make us more unified?
Philippians 2:15, 16
- Why is unity of faith and practice so important in the last days?
- How can we shine as lights in the world?
- What ways of shining have worked well for you, and what else might you do to be able to shine brighter for Jesus?
Tuesday: A Living Sacrifice
Being a bearer of light to the world is a joyful experience, but often comes at a high cost. Paul felt that his life was being poured out to God as a drink offering (Philippians 2:17). Mary, likewise, poured out a liquid sacrifice, a costly amount of spikenard oil to anoint Jesus’ head and feet before His death. Surrendering to God is the same as becoming a living sacrifice, as Paul described in Romans 12:1, 2.
We can be a sacrifice for God by spreading the gospel, such as the Philippians had done by opening their homes and studying the Scriptures with their neighbors. Early Christians, as well as our Adventist pioneers, were active participants in evangelism, pouring their lives into God’s work. They did not expect pastors and church leaders to do it all.
There was also the possibility that one might be called to lose their life because of their faith, as Paul had fear would happen to him. Either way, Paul made it known that he was willing to serve God, no matter what sacrifice it required, his life or his death. Service and the sacrifice it required was never a burden to Paul. It was a joyful way to thank Jesus for His enormous sacrifice on the cross.
Verses and questions:
Philippians 2:17, 2 Timothy 4:6, Romans 12:1, 2, and 1 Corinthians 11:1
- What kind of sacrifice can we be in the cause of God?
- How do we become the kind of sacrifice God desires?
- How can we remain joyful, even when extreme sacrifice is required of us?
Wednesday: Proven Character
After encouraging the Philippian believers to be shining lights for Jesus, in essence to pour out their lives in sacrifice to God, Paul pointed out a couple of people who exemplified these virtues: Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Timothy was recognized as a fellow worker who was a co-sender of his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 1:1). Other Pauline letters identify Timothy as a co-evangelist who had been sent to Macedonia and had worked with Paul and Silas in Corinth and later in Ephesus. They evidently knew each other well and for some time. Young Timothy had been tested by trials, which had proven his character to his mentor, Paul.
It is by the difficult moments in life that our characters are proven true or lacking. Hardships strengthen us for the uncertainties that lie ahead. We will always have provocations that test us, but “if insulting words are responded to by gentle answers, and oppressive acts by kindness”, our Christian graces are developed. ~from Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 344.
Verses and questions:
Philippians 2:19-23
- What enabled the Philippians to trust Timothy with such important duties as Paul had given him?
- How and why was Paul and Timothy’s relationship like a father and son?
Thursday: “Hold Such Men in Esteem”
Paul also highly praised in his epistle someone named Epaphroditus, a fellow servant of God whom Paul greatly appreciated and admired. His unusual-sounding name indicates that he most likely had a pagan background, someone from the cult of Aphrodite.
The Philippian Christians entrusted Epaphroditus with financial gifts to provide for Paul’s needs while he was under arrest in Rome (Philippians 4:18). Any food, clothing, or other essential items prisoners might need had to be supplied by family and friends. More than once, Paul thanked them heartily for their generosity to him.
Another indication of the trust Epaphroditus had earned was the fact that Paul sent his letter back with him to the church in Philippi. Included in his letter was a reminder for them to hold upstanding, virtuous men, such as Timothy and Epaphroditus, in high regard. They were both worthy examples for them to follow in their Christian walk.
Verses and questions:
Philippians 2:25-30 and 4:18
- Why was Epaphroditus considered a worthy example for the Philippians to follow?
- In what ways had Paul been blessed by Epaphroditus?
- How does providing someone with material needs bless them in other ways, and how can we do the same for others?
Friday: Final Thoughts
As we contemplate how to be lights to the world, let us not forget the relationship between faith and works (Philippians 2:12, 13). Works are evidence of our faith. Together, they make us able to glorify God. Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, recounts not only the stalwart faith of those we read about in the Bible, but recounts what their faith led them to do.
Following in the footprints of Jesus, which included many trials and much suffering, we are strengthened and able to withstand the many fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16). Hardships, patiently endured, help make us lights to the world.
And let’s not forget the motivation for faith and works: namely, love.
“The one who stands nearest to Christ will be he who on earth has drunk most deeply of the spirit of His self-sacrificing love,–love that ‘vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,…seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil’ (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5).” ~Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 549.
Next Week: Confidence Only in Christ
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