Sabbath School Lesson for July 4-10, 2026
Introduction of Lesson 2, The Message of the Cross
Memory Text: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV
Paul’s first topic of discussion, after the preliminary greetings in chapter one of Corinthians, was how to reach both Jews and Gentiles with the message of the cross.
To the Jews, who were looking for a powerful ruler to overthrow their enemies, the humble Servant Jesus did not fit their idea of a Messiah. Nor were the Greeks, who valued wisdom and philosophical thought, satisfied with Paul’s message of the cross. The story of Jesus, a crucified criminal, being the God of the universe sounded unlikely and even foolish to them.
Regardless of these negative responses, Paul promoted ways to counter these obstacles of gospel ministry that prevailed in the first century after Christ’s resurrection.
This week, we will explore:
- Sunday: The Gospel of Christ
- Monday: Foolishness to Those Who Are Perishing
- Tuesday: Power to Those Who Are Being Saved
- Wednesday: A Messiah Crucified
- Thursday: Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God
Sunday: The Gospel of Christ
Paul had learned from his experience in Athens, that the message of a crucified Savior needed to be the center of his preaching (1 Corinthians 1:17, 2:2). Argument and debate did not lead to many conversions in that great metropolis, and Paul henceforth declared a new approach.
Making the crucified and resurrected Son of God foremost in all their discourse would be helpful in uniting the Corinthians, who, as Paul had mentioned, were experiencing a problem with divisions in the church.
Paul explained that he was not sent to baptize (as some were called to do), but to preach the gospel of the cross. That alone was his goal–to share Christ with all who would listen.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
1 Corinthians 1:17-31
- What was the main idea that Paul wanted to convey about God in these verses?
1 Corinthians 1:17 and 2:2
- What was Paul likely trying to avoid with his new emphasis on preaching the gospel?
Monday: Foolishness to Those Who Are Perishing
Paul mentioned “foolish” or “foolishness” several times in the first chapter of his epistle to the Corinthians. The gospel sounded foolish to both unbelieving Jews and the Greeks, the ones who were perishing, who would not be saved when Christ returned.
He pointed out that the Jews, who had crucified Jesus, wanted to be shown signs of God’s power, and the Greeks felt there could be no power in a god who was a crucified in such a shameful way. Therefore, the message of the cross was a tremendous stumbling block for the Jews, and a source of laughing and ridicule for the Greeks.
It’s helpful to know in advance what accounts for the opposition one faces when delivering something as unusual as the message of the cross. Today, explanations for not accepting the gospel may be different, but it remains that there will always be those who resist our efforts to change their behavior and thought patterns. It is necessary to understand their mindset and learn ways that will attract their attention and ultimately transform their way of thinking and living.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
1 Corinthians 1:20, 21, 23, 25, 27
- What did Paul mean by saying that the cross was foolishness to certain people? Who were those people, and why did they think it was foolish?
- What are obstacles people have in believing the gospel today?
Tuesday: Power to Those Who Are Being Saved
Very soon in preaching the message of the cross, one is faced with puzzling opposites. How could the shedding of Jesus’ blood bring us peace (Colossians 1:20)? Bloodshed usually indicates a lack of peace. And how could we be healed, by Jesus being wounded (1 Peter 2:24)? These things don’t make sense to those who are perishing due to their reckless neglect of learning more about God.
When we remain open to hearing the gospel, however, we begin to recognize the actual power there is in the message of the cross. It is God’s power alone that saves us from ourselves through the death of His Son. We must come to the point where we see how powerless we are against the things of the world. This lack of power is in stark contrast to the power God imparts to those who have developed a desire to be led by God and allow their trust in Him to grow.
The foolishness once felt about the gospel can instead become a source of power when we allow the message to sink into our minds and hearts. God gives us power to overcome those harmful things in the world that cause our self-destruction. No wonder Paul was anxious to share this powerful message.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
Colossians 1:20 and 1 Peter 2:24
- Why would people find these statements contradictory?
- How can you explain them to someone who doubts these truths?
1 Corinthians 1:30, 31
- Why is it important to give God credit for all the wisdom and power in our lives?
- How should our praise for God be expressed, and how important is it that others see and hear it from us?
Wednesday: A Messiah Crucified
Today the cross is a beloved symbol that adorns churches, both inside and out. People wear a cross around their neck without a thought as to what the symbol meant to those in the Roman Empire during and after the time of Christ. Many back then would have witnessed someone suffering on a cruel cross. To them, the cross was a symbol of death and shame, something one would turn away from and avoid, if at all possible.
For Paul and his associates to preach about the cross as a symbol of God’s power and love ran counter to the prevailing mindset of both Jews and Greeks. Even sinless, heavenly angels must struggle to understand the powerful love shown by the Father at Calvary.
Most of the Jews back then were oblivious to the true mission of the Messiah at His First Coming. This causes us to continually study God’s plan of salvation as revealed in His word, so we don’t misunderstand the events that will unfold at His Second Coming.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
- What part did humility play in Paul’s ministry in Corinth?
- What can we do to develop a humble spirit in our evangelistic efforts?
Acts 13:26, 38, and 47
- What do we learn from these verses about the meaning of the cross?
Thursday: Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God
It’s important to recognize that there is a difference in God’s wisdom and power. Human wisdom and power are not necessarily bad, but they do not address the core issue of humanity, which is how to save ourselves fully from suffering and death.
True salvation of this kind can only be achieved when God imparts His wisdom to us, and when He manifests His power through us to make us able to resist temptation.
The salvation won for us at the cross of Calvary, where the Son of God died in our place, makes it possible for us to have peace and strength beyond anything worldly wisdom and power can deliver. Having God’s wisdom and power means we can have peace of mind and strength of character that are lasting and secure for all eternity. Something the world will never achieve for us, no matter how much it tries.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
1 Corinthians 1:24-29
- What point is Paul trying to make in these verses about foolishness, weakness, wisdom, and power?
1 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:15, and James 1:5
- Why is it important to have God’s wisdom and what are some of the ways we get it?
Friday: Final Thoughts
In Corinth, there were distractions and divisions to address, like in many large cities today. Now, so-called scientific evidence is often hard to refute. People want to see proof (signs and wonders like the Jews), and many still laugh at the truths taught in the Bible (like the Greeks). Yes, many issues Paul encountered in Corinth have not changed substantially in our world today.
These things, however, mustn’t cause us to neglect our important mission to spread the good news about Christ and God’s love. In The Acts of the Apostles, p. 246, by Ellen G. White, we also find this encouragement:
“He [Paul] knew by personal experience that when a sinner once beholds the love of the Father, as seen in the sacrifice of His Son, and yields to the divine influence, a change of heart takes place, and henceforth Christ is all and in all.”
The message of the cross should always be the center of our mission to the world. There is power and wisdom for all who dedicate themselves to God and share such a blessed hope as we’ve been given.
Next Week: Unity in Christ
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